Today In YFD History: July 9, 1966 – Galaxy Restaurant and Lounge Fire – 258 W. Federal Street Downtown

July 9, 1966 – Shortly after 7:30am on Saturday, July 9, 1966, a fire broke out in the french fryer at the Galaxy Restaurant and Lounge in the middle of Downtown Youngstown. A customer of the restaurant attempted to extinguish the fire with am extinguisher without success. Mrs Robert Simpson, a waitress with the restaurant, quickly called the fire department. At 7:48am, Youngstown Fire Companies under the direction of Fire Chief Joseph Flask and Assistant Chief Carl Saviers responded.  4 Engines and a Ladder truck responded to the alarm at 258 W Federal Street. Smoke and flames had spread through the ventilator shaft to all three floors of the building. Arriving fire companies were greeted with dense smoke, as companies began ventilating the building, crews used the ladder truck to the roof.

Companies had a difficult time locating the fire and at 8:30am, a second alarm was turned in for the fire bringing two more engines and an additional ladder company to the scene. Firefighters had to deal with dense smoke and excessive heat but no serious injuries were reported. After an hour and a half, the fire was extinguished. Additional firefighters including Assist Chief John McBride, Capt Dan Eberhart and Fireman Joseph McCullion who had just went off duty helped crews lay hose.