Joshua House has scheduled a public auction Sunday, January 18 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the former Citizens Fire Hall to sell off fire equipment and various other auction items.
Food and restrooms will be available at the auction.
Ron J. and Ron S. Gilligan will conduct a public auction of the contents of the former Citizen Fire Company including: old Citizens Co. fireman’s helmets, other Citizens Co. fireman helmets, hats, coats, approximately 25 pair of fireman boots, matted and framed print of “The Great Chicago Fire of 1871,” and old Goodwill 1 and 2 Altoona metal signs.
Also, an approximately 20 foot brass fireman’s pole, dated 1875 corner stone, old siren, modern siren and antenna at top of building, stained glass light, two parade rifles, approximately 14 cast iron radiators of various sizes, 1950s 18 foot pine bar and an old local framed geological survey map.
Fireman’s equipment and tools that will be auctioned include: Homelite gas three inch trash water pump, Homelite two inch gas trash water pump, Homelite 2500 generator with 5 horsepower gas motor, approximately 32 rolls of fire hose in various sizes with brass fittings, large brass and aluminum water couplers, five Protecta/JRG fall arrest devices and large brass spray nozzles.
Also, new Protecta 300 cable winch, various turbo jet nozzles, large brass valves, Partner K-12 gas operated rescue saw, porta power, Milwaukee electric hammer, Milwaukee sawzall, MAC 3/4 inch drive breaker bar, 18 inch and 24 inch commercial fans, Sentry floor model combination safe and retractable electric hose reel with 200 feet of new cord.
Also, lots of hazardous material pigmats (absorbing mats), spill kits mats, 10 foot high by 32 foot wide overhead electric gear drive door, nine-and-a-half foot high by 10 foot wide overhead garage door, resuscitator, hand tools, hydraulic, jacks, various fire tools, Mack bull dog ash tray, new boat gas tank, box of flares and Dirt Devil Featherlight vacuum.
Also, upholstered furniture, several Motorola Handie radios, canteens, stretcher boards, fire extinguishers, gas masks and air packs, many cots, pole climbers, 12 air tanks, water fountain, lockers, grease pump, cast iron hot water furnace (for scrap), fire trophies, plus any remaining items out of the fire company.
The terms of the sale include cash or check by the conclusion of the auction.
“The money raised at the auction will go towards the renovations,” said director of Joshua House, Jim Kilmartin. “We have only been cleaning at this point. But Friday the 9th, we actually close, and it will officially be our building.”
Kilmartin also said if anyone wants to help with the auction, get in contact with him. Soda is one item that is needed for the auction.
Renovations will be fully underway to turn the former fire hall into the new location of Joshua House on January 24.
If there are any skilled laborers or others who wish to help in the renovation process, contact Kilmartin at 684-2032. Materials are needed as well as workers.
“We are extremely excited about this move forward. After five years of plowing ground, we are seeing our efforts and energies producing fruit. Many thanks to the community that has supported this mission, and may the next five years be one hundred times better,” said Kilmartin.
On a different note, the first ever Christmas toy drive held by the teens of Joshua House was deemed a success. Kilmartin attributes the success to the teens and to all those who helped in the Tyrone community.
“I would like to thank all the people that helped with the toy drive we did,” he added. “We helped 21 households that included 37 kids and adults. It was such a wonderful time. We hope to do it again next year.”
