"Blaze Burns Beer Boxcar"

Tuesday evening was frustrating for city firemen battling a boxcar fire in muggy, almost 90 degree weather.

Besides the fire itself, their problem was the contents of the well-insulated boxcar. It contained 6,000 cases of “nice and cold” Coors beer, according to Chief Wayne Schwartz. The firefighters probably would have welcomed nothing more than a refreshing taste, but all were forbidden to partake.

The entire shipment (13,500 gallons) may have to be condemned and destroyed, because of food contamination laws, Schwartz said. He was seeking an estimate of the partial or total loss Wednesday.

A dragging brake on one wheel had thrown sparks up against the wooden floor of the car. It was already smouldering when parked alone on a siding behind A&A Coors Inc., the local distributorship at 823 E. Eigth.

Because the fire started in a corner, the firemen had to unload between 600 and 800 cases (24 12oz bottles or cans per case) to get at it. The fire couldn’t be reached from underneath. It eventually spread up the walls to the top, causing between $2,000 and $3,000 damage to the Union Pacific car alone.

The fire was reported at 7:19 p.m. All units responded, including the snorkel and 18 men.

The railroad posted security men to guard the shipment from thirsty scavengers during the night.

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The Hays Daily News, Kansas -- 06-29-79
Reprinted with Permission