Devastating Rehoboth fire in 1962 destroys half a block

The year 1962 was an eventful one for the City of Rehoboth Beach. Several months after the infamous Storm of ’62 dealt devastating damage to the Boardwalk and beachfront properties, the city saw a destructive fire on the second block of Rehoboth Avenue that affected two stores, a theater, a restaurant and three apartments.

The blaze started about 2:50 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 16. An eyewitness reported the fire first began near a chimney over a rear-porch kitchen at the Avenue Restaurant. The fire raged for about four hours before being brought under control by an estimated 100 firefighters from Rehoboth, Lewes and Milton.

The fire left half the block in ruins. Businesses impacted included the restaurant, the Avenue Theatre, the Avenue Jewelry Store, the Candy Box and three second-floor apartments.

According to an article in the Evening Journal, Mrs. Alvin Simpler, who operated the restaurant with her husband, was in the restaurant when the fire was discovered in the ceiling above an oil-burning stove.

“The kitchen help called me,” she said. “It had a head start before anyone knew it. I was afraid of an explosion, and ran back out front to get the customers out and called the firemen.”

Fire marshals later discovered the chimney was faulty, and a wooden beam that laid on the chimney caught fire.

Today, the site of the 1962 fire houses a Candy Kitchen shop on the corner of Rehoboth Avenue and First Street, and the Avenue Inn next door.