POTTSVILLE — The Phoenix Fire Co. No. 2 firehouse, set to be closed due to a merger with Humane Fire Co. No. 1, will be repurposed as a real estate office.
Jill Saunders, owner of Saunders Real Estate, is purchasing the building and will relocate her business from Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville.
“Our current office has become too small for our growing team,” she said. “The moment I walked into this firehouse, I knew I had found a forever home.”
On a recent tour of the firehouse, which she compared to the one in “Ghostbusters,” Saunders said she had been hired by Phoenix to list the building for sale.
Instead, she bought it.
“As I walked through the firehouse, I was completely taken aback,” she said. “Not just by the stunning architecture and original craftsmanship, but by how well it has been preserved.”
Walking through the building, which still houses Phoenix’s ladder truck, Saunders took note of the original tin ceilings, which will be preserved. Lending to its historic character, the room where the fire company housed its horses in the 1800s is still there. It was used as a storage area by the fire company.
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The Phoenix Fire Co.at 320 E. Norwegian St. in Pottsville was recently sold to Saunders Real Estate. The building will be used as office space. (JOHNATHAN B. PAROBY/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The Phoenix Fire Co.at 320 E. Norwegian St. in Pottsville was recently sold to Saunders Real Estate. The building will be used as office space. (JOHNATHAN B. PAROBY/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER)
Founded as the Schuylkill Hydraulian Fire Co. in 1829, it became Phoenix Fire Co. in 1867.
When the merger is complete, Phoenix and Humane will become Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1.
Saunders expects to close on the sale of the roughly 4,000-square-foot Phoenix building at 320 E. Norwegian St. by the end of May.
Saunders Real Estate will occupy the main floor, with offices of sales agents on the second floor. The property has parking on both sides.
“We’re excited to expand, and become a more active part of the city that has supported us for so long,” Saunders said.
A grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 25.
Saunders, who’s been in the real estate business for 10 years, received her brokerage license three years ago.
On staff are her father, James Saunders; plus Joel Ovalle, Tracey Kreiser and Coral Kreiser.
Bill DeWald, a Phoenix lieutenant, said he’s happy that the firehouse will be preserved.
“The sale is in the best interests of the fire company and Saunders Real Estate,” he said.
Steve Karinch, Phoenix vice president and an assistant Pottsville fire chief, also expressed congratulations to the new owner.
Saunders thanked Phoenix officials for entrusting the building’s future to her.
“It’s more than just a real estate deal,” she said, “it’s a chance to preserve a piece of Pottsville’s history.”
