On July 4th 1900, the borough of East Prospect experienced a major fire that caused $50,000 estimated damages. This was a lot of money in those days. The fire was discovered at approximately 12:30 PM and brought under control around 3:30 PM the same afternoon. During this time a severe thunderstorm helped to extinguish a major part of the fires and cool remaining hot embers.
The Borough’s residences fought in vain to try to contain this raging fire. Neighbors as far as Wrightsville assisted them. The East Prospect Band members were playing in Lancaster County for the July 4th celebration thus limiting the number of town folks available to fight the fire. Remember, this was 1900 and there were nor motorcars then.
Since there was no Fire Company at that time, the Fire Company would officially form almost 20 years later, the population and to band together to help one another. The residents used bucket brigades and pumped water from local wells and cisterns.
The temperature that day was reported to have been 99? in York City and several people suffered from heat, including towns folks U. S. Wallick, Chester Hanigan and George Gilbert.
The fire is believed to have started in the chimney area of the E. J. Sitler Store and house, which was located where the Outlet Store is located today. It is believed that a lightning strike or firecracker started the blaze.
The fire then spread East along Maple Street towards South Main Street destroying everything in its’ path. Once the fire reached South Main Street, it crossed over the road destroying two home that were located next to what is now the East Prospect State Bank. It also destroyed the towns School House, which was located South of the alley between Ridge and Princess Avenues, across the parking lot from the current Post Office .