A look back: July 20, 1965

Fire at midnight last night destroyed the Shellhamer ice plant, frozen food lockers and cold storage building located off Route 309 a mile south of Tamaqua. Virgil Shelhammer, part owner of the plant with his brother, Calvin R. Shelhammer, estimated the loss would exceed $250,000.

Warren Fritz, an employee who lived nearby, reported he heard an explosion at the plant and, investigating, he discovered the fire and made an attempt to extinguish it but met no success.

Firefighters from Tamaqua, Coaldale and Lansford worked five hours before the blaze was brought under control. One hundred firefighters were on duty. Two were reported hurt.