Colwyn fire company loses right to operate

By a 4-3 vote, the Colwyn Borough Council in Delaware County tonight revoked its 103-year-old fire company's right to operate in the borough, effective immediately.

The council made a verbal agreement with Darby Fire Company No. 1 to be its primary responder, also effective immediately, said Borough Manager Bill Smith.

The Colwyn fire company had been plagued with problems between the 17 volunteers who actively fought fires and the 100 or so "social" members, many of whom drank at the firehouse's bar. The town bans the sale of alcohol.

The volunteers resigned en masse earlier this month after state police raided the firehouse. Police seized two illegal video slot machines, $2,100 in cash and bottles of alcohol bought out of state.

In another action, the council voted 4-3 to stop its payments to the independently held Firemen's Relief Association Fund, also effective immediately.    - Inquirer staff