Nothing says more about the resiliency of a community than how the residents react during and after a disastrous fire.

Late on Wednesday, Sept. 13, a massive fire spread through Oxford’s business district on South Third Street, destroying businesses and displacing 90 people. The Oxford community responded with tremendous love, heroism, and a flood of donations of food, clothing, and money for the families and businesses that lost everything as a result of the blaze.

The fire caused significant damage in the heart of Oxford’s business district, but no injuries were reported. The hard work and heroism of the police officers and firefighters on the scene helped keep everyone safe.

A letter from Mayor Phillip Harris specifically commended two police officers, Scott Richards and Karlianna Eller after they responded to a fire alarm on South Third Street at 11:31 p.m. on Sept. 13.

Officers arrived on location within two minutes and observed large flames from the roof area of multiple buildings. Officers Eller and Richards quickly went door-to-door evacuating the residents in the apartments.

Officer Richards shot a video from his body camera taken inside the building where the fire started. That clip shows Richards directing a mother who was holding her child to the rear of the building. Richards then worked his way past flames in the windows while yelling for other residents to go out toward the front of the building, away from the flames.

Richards reported, “The hallways were hot and smoky, alarms were going off, but we were still waking adults and children up who were sleeping. Initially, when we arrived, Officer Eller entered the front, and I entered the rear to get everyone out. Every door we knocked on, someone was inside. Residents were banging on additional doors as they ran out. Officer Eller and I had to help people to the closest exit away from the flames. We closed as many windows and doors behind us to slow the spread of the fire. As we got outside, I saw residents in Niblock Alley help flake out fire hoses to do what they could to help the fire department.”  

Harris stated,  “We would like to commend Officer Scott Richards and Officer Karilanna Eller for their outstanding bravery that resulted in the saving of human lives.”

Richards has been a police officer with Oxford since 2006, while Eller was sworn in in 2021.

Harris also commended the Union Fire Department and Oxford Ambulance, assisted by Medic 94 and the multiple mutual aid departments for equal heroism during the massive response to the blaze.

There was no lack of heroism or endurance from the many dozens of first responders at the scene. 

Miraculously, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Chester County Fire Marshal John Weer.

The Borough of Oxford released a statement early on Sept. 14 that provided details about the scope of the devastating blaze.

A fire broke out overnight in downtown Oxford impacting six properties on South Third Street, between Market and Hodgson Street. Thus far, no one has been reported hurt but several buildings will need to be condemned. The buildings, in the Borough’s historic downtown, are mixed-use structures with retail and commercial establishments on the first floor and residential apartments on the floors above. Chester County Emergency Services and the Red Cross are assisting 25 displaced families, approximately 90 people in total. 

“We are saddened that so many residents, many of them with children, have been displaced by this tragedy,” said Kathryn Cloyd, Borough Council President. “We are also saddened by the destruction of some of Oxford’s most historic buildings and will do all we can to support the displaced residents and businesses.”

Union Fire Company and the Oxford Police Department responded to the call at 11:31 p.m. on Wednesday night. Union Fire Company is being assisted by multiple state, county and regional fire agencies from the surrounding area, including from Lancaster County, Delaware and Maryland. 

“We are grateful for the coordinated response of our emergency services organizations, Borough Public Works and administrative staff,” said Mayor Phil Harris. “People mobilized quickly. We also thank the several community volunteers that assembled during the night to bring food and drink to residents affected by the fire.” 

On Thursday morning, the fire companies continued to fight the blaze. Residents and businesses in the area lost electricity. Nearby buildings were also evacuated until the area was deemed safe for everyone to return.

Utility companies, public works employees, and police joined onlookers waiting for the area to be called safe by the fire company. 

Fire Chief Jim Booth was quick to acknowledge the heroic work of the Oxford police and EMS for their timely response in evacuating the buildings.

“This was certainly one of the worst fires in the borough,” Booth said. “The structure and renovations of the buildings in the business district make it difficult when fighting a fire there. There are numerous additions, multiple roofs, and many voids within the building that the fire can jump to. The only way to insure the fire was out was to pull the buildings down. We are amazed that everyone evacuated was unharmed and only one firefighter received a minor injury. It could have been so much worse.”

Booth said the fire was controlled by 4:28 a.m. Thursday morning, and was actually deemed to be out by noon on Friday.

The street was closed from Wednesday until Saturday afternoon. The police department thanked all first responders, utility workers, public works, and public officials that made the reopening possible. However, the police urged everyone to observe safely as crews continue to work. They also announced that anyone tampering with or entering an unauthorized area will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

After the fire

Now that Third Street is once again open, business owners, residents and shoppers are wondering what will come next. Even before the street was open, Ron Hershey, from Outback Adventure Co., was focused on the next steps.

“It was a tragedy,” Hershey said as he looked at the rubble where a building once stood. “And to take the OMI building is just hard to believe. They have worked so hard for the business district. But now we need to look at opportunities that await as we build back.”

As if on cue, Wilson King, the owner of one of the downed buildings, rode in on his bicycle. He commented on the theatre project, which was proposed for his property.

“Well, we still have the grant for the project, so it will move forward,” he said. And then without missing a beat, he added, “We can get an urban planner in and come up with a good design. We’ll just build again.”

Oxford is no stranger to fires. One large blaze hit the Oxford Presbyterian Church, the Octoraro Hotel was hit twice, and many years ago the Lipkin’s store also had a fire. Just about a month ago, Robinson’s Furniture was hit by fire, too.  Greg Robinson said of that fire, “We had a couple cameras up and could see it started downstairs with the de-humidifier. The fire company was here in minutes and put it out. I think because of the doors the fire couldn’t get the oxygen it needed.”

Robinson was recovering from his disaster, and holding a furniture sale, while cleaning up and moving forward. And that illustrates the remarkable spirit of Oxford. Disaster may hit, but the community unites and help comes from every direction.

The Red Cross (South eastern division) came in and set up at Penn’s Grove School to handle those left homeless.

Kathy Book, who wears many, many hats as a volunteer with different community groups including the Lighthouse Youth Center, Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., Neighborhood Services Center, and SILO (Serving Inspiring and Loving Others), also serves as the office manager at State Rep. John Lawrence’s office in West Grove. She worked closely with the Red Cross and spoke lovingly of the Oxford community.

“Everyone helped, including the Lighthouse Youth Center,” Book said. “They helped with caring for those ripped from their homes. They fed them, and did whatever was needed to bring some calm to their lives. Of course the families were housed at Penn’s Grove Middle School, while other shelter was located. More than one Red Cross member said how impressed they were with all the support they got from Oxford. They said they had never seen a community come together like this one.”

Volunteers included State Rep. Lawrence, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and members of local churches, schools, and businesses.

Book said she was so impressed with Penn’s Grove School.

“The cafeteria was phenomenal. They were great providing meals for the group,” she said.

The SILO group was also stepping up to help. They usually provide a monthly community meal and Saturday’s Taco and chips brought in 300 people from the community, including those that had been displaced by the fire. The community meal was held in the Oxford Memorial Park. The line for tacos went on forever, but no one was turned away.

Andrea Paella, from SILO said, “we are looking for housing for those that need it. Some can go to friends and family. We are also helping those that can return to their apartments that weren’t destroyed by the fire.”

Local businesses such as BB’s, Walmart, Giant, and even those shut down from the fire, were out and about helping where they could. Businesses outside of Oxford volunteered to help other businesses store food when their electric was lost. 

Book also explained how quickly things were turned around.

“We helped those that lost their driver’s license, ID’s, birth certificates and other important papers. They were mailed overnight,” she said. “It was just so heartwarming to see everyone work together. So many people brought water, food, clothing, whatever they could give.”

Donations continue to come in from this small town with the big heart. 

Neighborhood Services Center invited people to check out the website at www.oxfordnsc.org for a list of items needed for those displaced by the fire.

Donations to help those impacted by the fire can also be made on the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce website at oxfordpa.org. Click on “Oxford Fire.”

What most people needed after the fire was to visit their hometown. People came from all over after the fire to remember what the town meant for them. 

Two locals, Rebecca and Bob, were trying to provide comfort as needed.

“I saw a woman crying, who just wanted to go home to her apartment,” Bob said. He has been a resident of Oxford for 35 years. He came to Oxford from Detroit after the riots and fires there in the late 1960s.

Rebecca, who says she is happily homeless, spreads the word of God to anyone who will listen. 

“I couch surf sometimes, when I take care of a friend. Sometimes, I sleep in my car,” she said. “Mostly, I just thank God each day for saving me and putting me where I am now.”

Both Rebecca and Bob lifted spirits just by their presence.

Many people travelled from near and far when they heard of the fire. It was a reunion of classmates, neighbors, and former business people who came back to visit the town that had given so much to them.

They were saddened by the devastation, but all were quick to point out that Oxford always came back after any tragedy. They expected the same now. 

Fire can destroy a home. Fire can destroy businesses, but fires can never destroy the resilient spirit of Oxford.

As Hershey said, it is a tragedy, but it is also an opportunity. 

And, from the look in Wilson King’s eyes as he surveyed the rubble that had been the home to businesses and also provided a home for many residents, it is clear that he is determined to build back as soon as possible.

“We have an opportunity,” King said.