Back in ’65 the Cliffside Fire Department would pick out an abandoned mill house (of which there were dozens) and, for practice, burn it to the ground. Good training for our firemen.

Firebugs

Fireman on ladder wields and ax, hacking to side of house; four on ground assist with hose.

Marty McKinney with fireman

Inside empty room in house, fireman, preparing to set fire, sprinkles flammable liquid onto a small pile of trash. He's smoking a cigar.

Fireman bends over trash setting it ablaze.

Early moments; smoke pouring through roof. Firetruck in foreground.

The fire has spread inside the house; smoke pouring through eaves.

Night: Rear of firetruck with work lights on and hoses attached. Hot, sweaty fireman with jacket off, puffs on stump of cigar.

Three firemen holding hose, smiling at camera.

Daylight scene: Safely back from burning mill house, a dozen men and boys watch the fire's progress.

Spraying down smoking pile of remains of the old house.

Photos courtesy Sherry Harris Phelps