The Case of the Cursed Washing Machine in Pottsville

Every once in a while, you’ll hear something on the emergency dispatch radio in Schuylkill County that’ll make you …

Well, we’re not sure what this will make you do.

But before we get started, we have to thank Kaylee Lindenmuth, publisher of The Shenandoah Sentinel, for monitoring the emergency dispatch radio as she does. Otherwise, we couldn’t share this experience with you …

The Case of the Cursed Washing Machine

It all started on Sunday afternoon, August 2, around 4:30 p.m., according to Kaylee’s notes.

A call came in from a distressed person doing laundry at the Suds Your Duds location along West Market Street in Pottsville. Apparently, according to the radio dispatch, the person washing their clothes had been there for some time.

Here’s how the radio call transpired:

Dispatch: “Caller put his clothes in a washer and the washer is stuck on a cycle and keeps running. It’s been running for the last 4 hours. He’s unable to open the washer or shut it off. ALso, he’s unable to reach the business owner. He’s concerned this can become a fire hazard. It’s also heating up near the motor.”

Fire Company: “Alright. You can’t make this stuff up.”

Dispatch: “That’s correct.”

Let’s ignore the fact that the caller allowed their clothes to spin for 4 hours.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to donate to your local fire company, this is definitely it. Your local volunteers don’t get to decline calls. When dispatch calls, you go. And go they did. About 20 minutes later, the radio activity resumed.

Fire Company: “The washer did shut off cycle. However, the clothes are still entrapped. It’s going to be an issue for maintenance.

Dispatch: “OK, I’ll show you clear at (4:49 p.m.).”

But wait, there’s more …

Fast-forward 4 hours. The call goes out and once again, your local fire department responds.

Dispatch: “Going back for the cursed washing machine.”

Apparently, the original caller went back to Suds Your Duds to see if the door on the damned washing machine would open so they can get their clothes and get on with their life.

Not happening. Not today. That’s not 2020 enough.

Dispatch: “Caller came back to see if the door would open up and the washing machine is going. Said, the motor is getting hot again.”

Somehow, presumably, the washing machine started again on its own!

Can 2020 get any weirder?

If 2020 is reading this, please don’t consider this a dare.

For the audio of the back-and-forth on the emergency radio, check out the SoundCloud player here:

Subscribe to Coal Region Canary

Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!

Support Coal Region Canary

Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...