St Vincent College - Tower Yearbook (Latrobe, PA)

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fiirelll Sometime between eight fifteen and eight thirty on the clear, cold morning of February fifth, l963, fire broke out in the loft of the biology laboratory connected to the middle of Benedict Hall'.f7The Latrobe Volunteer Fire Department was alerted and they, in turn, immediately called the Greensburg Fire Department. Firemen arrived at St. Vincent at approxi- mately eight forty-five. By this time, the Ere had broken out through the roof and flames were visible. Thus began the de- struction of a great part of St. Vincent Archabbey. Because of frozen water lines, firemen were unable to con- tain the flames. Starting as it did in the iunction of three con- nected buildings, the fire spread rapidly. Students from St. Vincent Prep were routed from their rooms along with scholas- ticates and monks. Priests, brothers, students and seminarians began to rescue furniture, books, paintings, and clothes from rooms throughout the monastery. The fire continued out of con- trol because of lack of water and fire companies from all over Westmoreland County were called to the scene. Through re- lays of pumper trucks, water was lifted from a reservoir and efforts were made to stem the all-engulfing flames. By this time the fire had almost completely razed the old student's chapel and the top floor of the prep building. The student's chapel, the oldest building at St. Vincent, was completely gutted. The fire had started into two more buildings, those which housed the maiority of the priests. These too were gutted. The fire raged on. The next building to go was the most famous landmark of St. Vincent Archabbey, the bell tower after which this yearbook is named. The tall brick structure with its wooden floors acted as a chimney through which flames and smoke rose unchecked. The famous bells, long heard throughout the country-side as they pealed the hours and called the monks to prayer, fell with gonging crashes when their wooden supports burned out, and were heard no more. On the roof of the tower lead slates melted and began to droop over the side. The cross which surmounted the tower hung to one side, held up by its copper lightning arrestor. Meanwhile, another St. Vincent landmark, the Basilica Church was in danger. Firemen, hampered by the dense and choking smoke, donned air packs and gas masks and tried vainly to find a way into the loft over the back of the Basilica. They knew flames were about to enter the loft but could find no entrance to fight them. The building was saved, however, when Fr. Marcian pointed out a small fire door to firemen and they, with the aid of a ladder, were able to open it and halt the flames. Throughout the entire day of February fifth, and long into the night, fire kept breaking out. The thousands of gallons of water poured onto the flames became another serious prob- lem. The basement of the Basilica was flooded and efforts were made to keep the water from freezing so that it would not crack the foundation. In other places, sweeps were arranged by college students to push the water along hallways and down steps. In the prep building, the water problem got so bad that a hole had to be cut in the floor to drain water off. Here, the water dropped directly on the hot oven used to make the famous Bearcat bread and ruined it. When the fire was completely out, the toll it had taken was staggering. Buildings and property in excess of one million dol- lars had been destroyed. lrreplacable records, biology equip- ment, plant and animal specimens, and manuscripts had been lost. Because of swift action, however, no lives were lost and only minor iniuries were sustained. By Wednesday morning, glittering, ice-encased walls stood as mute examples around JOHN R. PECARCHIK Jeannette, Pa. Psychology Forum 3,-4. CHRISTOPHER R. PIGNOLI Jeannette, Pa. Dean's List 2,3,45 College Band 1,2,3,45 Glee Club 1,25 Choir 1,2,3. RONALD T. POMEROY McKees ort, Pa. . . . . P their smoulderrng interiors of the ravages fire can cause. N - U . Left: Water is poured into the still burning ruins of the monastery. Review 3,4, Sociology Forum 35 Business Forum 2,3545 Intramurals 1,2,3,4. 105 JOHN D. PEDUZZI Jeannette, Pa. Intramurals 2,3,4. JAMES J. POLKABLA Clairton, Pa. Tower 45 Stensan Club 15 History Club 15 Psychology Forum 3,45 St. Thomas More 1g Intramurals 1,2,3,4.

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The very beginning of the fire. This picture proves that the Ere started in the loft of the biology lab. Here, the entire biology lab is in flames and the fire is beginning its march across the roof of the old students' chapel. lf-' ' , , Here the famous bell tower is seen as flames ravage it. Shortly after this picture was taken the bells fell. i As the fire gained headway it burned down into the biology lab. Here, the roof is seen falling into the lab. Part of the roof to the old students' chapel had fallen in when this shot was taken. The tower is now in danger. s l r. H ' - ,1 . 1' i' E3- 4 ' N -4-,Z I-.IQ . S1 1-1-- , ' Zfgijga Y, 7 ' A L 14:1 '. I I From the courtyard of the Archabbofs residence the still flaming rooms of the monastery and the gutted bell tower are seen. m