Signing set for book recounting local fires, disasters
SHENANDOAH – Two longtime firefighters and fire historians will be in town for a book signing this Monday for their new book recounting local fires and disasters.
Michael Glore and Michael Kitsock penned “The Great Memorial Day Fire of 1945 and Other Schuylkill County Disasters.” The namesake fire ripped through 67 buildings in downtown Mahanoy City and, according to the book’s description, it also tells the tale of the United Flight 624 crash near Aristes, among others. Shenandoah Fire Chief Rick Examitas said the Strand Theatre Fire and several other incidents handled by the Shenandoah Fire Department are also included.
All of the incidents detailed in the book and in Schuylkill County’s 214-year history have been handled by volunteers.
Glore and Kitsock will hold a book signing Monday, April 28 from 5pm to 7pm at the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, 105 South Jardin Street.
The cost of the book is $24.99 and cash and card are accepted.
The book is published by Arcadia Publishing, publishers of numerous localized history books, including books about Shenandoah, Mahanoy City, and Frackville.
Glore has been a firefighter since 1986 and has held various ranks and administrative offices in the Pottsville Fire Department and served as assistant fire chief of the City of Pottsville, Bureau of Fire, from 2004 to 2007. In 2007, he was hired as a career firefighter with the City of Reading, Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and in 2022, he was promoted to first deputy fire chief. In 2013, he received the department’s Lifesaving Award.
Kitsock has served as a volunteer firefighter and a fire instructor for several decades. A founding member of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society, he was also an officer of the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. A retired educator, Mike taught for more than forty years.
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