Renovations have started on Fire Chief’s Memorial in Elmwood Park, nine months after the beloved Norristown landmark was destroyed by fire, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
The memorial honors more than 20 former fire chiefs and also functions as a bandshell for the borough’s July 4 celebrations and summer concert series.
Officials are hoping restoration will be finalized in time for the first concert of this year’s summer series on June 29, when Tru-Blu Band is scheduled to take the stage. M.A.F.I.A. (Middle-Aged Funk in Abington) is set to perform at the bandshell on July 6.
“We’re super excited for it,” said Jim Hartman, who plays bass for M.A.F.I.A.. “After the fire last year, we didn’t know what was going to happen.”
According to investigators, the fire that tore through the memorial in August 2024 was caused by arson.
“It’s really a shame,” said Hartman. “I believe the building was there for over 80 years, and to hear that it got destroyed like that, again, it was a great thing to bring the community together on Sunday nights and have some music in the summer.”
For a deeper look at the memorial’s history, the investigation into the fire, and what the restoration means to the Norristown community, read the full story by Madeleine Wright on CBS News Philadelphia.
