Members of Good Will Fire Co. Station 25, Trexlertown, were joined by members from Upper Macungie Station 56, Fogelsville Fire Co., Station 8, and neighboring first responders Jan. 18 to remember the event from 100 years ago which led to the creation of Station 25.

A devastating fire at the Schultz and Croll Knitting Mill, on the corner of Trexlertown Road and Hamilton street, nearly destroyed the village of Trexlertown.

The fire began around 5:30 a.m. when the coal and wood furnaces were stoked to capacity to fend off the harsh winter weather.

A roof fire began near one of the chimneys and eventually destroyed the building.

Allentown Fire Department brought the department’s chemical engine, which is credited with preventing the destruction of the village.

The 100th anniversary ceremony was held in the fire station with the fire whistle and alert tones sounded at 5:30 a.m. to commemorate the start of the 1916 fire.

Fire Chief Arlan Wright alerted the Lehigh County 911 Center which then activated the alert.

Carl Schmoyer III, whose family has been an integral part of the community for many generations, served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Pastor Laura Stoneback, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Pastor Al Bastin, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, both in Trexlertown, read the history of the original fire.

Members of the Good Will Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary attending the ceremony included William Gillespie, Kyle Dietrich, Fred Polash, Kathy Conrad, Roger Conrad, Michael Demers, Dennis Bower, Mason Rumble, Jamie Roberts, John Ellermann Sr., Calvin Fetherolf, Brian Schultz, Arlan Wright, Kathy Wright, Glenn Eberwein, Jamie Gorr, Lucy Gross, Sandee Schultz, Brenda Bower, Skyler Gorr, Brad Zimmerman, Bryan Bassett, Laura Rodriguez, Gary Gorr, Charles Howard, Michael Fowler, Walter Moore and Dennis McArdle.