Firefighter Close Calls

Fire Lieutenant Killed After Becoming Disoriented in Burning Abandoned Lumber Warehouse – Blackstock Warehouse Fire – Seattle, Washington – September 9, 1989 – NFPA Fire Investigation Report On September 9, 1989, Seattle Fire Lieutenant Matthew Johnson of Engine 20 was killed after becoming disoriented in a burning abandoned waterfront lumber warehouse while searching for the […]

Firefighter Trapped and Killed in Rapid Fire Event While Searching Three-Story Wood Frame Residential Building – Union City, New Jersey – September 9, 2006 – New Jersey Division of Fire Safety Firefighter Fatality Report On September 9, 2006, North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue Firefighter Vincent Neglia was killed after being overcome by a rapid fire […]

London Firefighters Save City after Multiple Fires Caused by Incendiary Bombing – More Than One Thousand Firefighters Killed – The Blitz – London, England – September 7, 1940 The Blitz was a German bombing campaign waged against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Flammable Liquid Fire in Manufacturing Plant – Mission Painted Fabrics Company – Los Angeles, California – September 7, 1935 On September 7, 1935, Los Angeles City Fire Captain Lawrence W. Krumsiek and Fireman George A. Damron of Engine 2 were fatally burned during a fire at the Mission Painted Fabrics Company […]

Firefighter Dies During Warehouse Fire at Unpermitted Film Studio – DeKalb County, Georgia – September 8, 2025 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2025-09  On September 8, 2025, DeKalb County Fire Rescue Master Firefighter Preston Fant died after becoming disoriented while trying to evacuate a warehouse at a commercial structure fire. At 13:32 hours, multiple DeKalb […]

FORT WORTH, Texas – It’s been a long journey for recovery for this Fort Worth firefighter who was injured while fighting a fire and it’s far from over, but part of his motivation is his son, who was in the NICU while he was fighting for his life. Caleb Halverson didn’t know if he’d ever […]

PROCTORVILLE, Ohio (WOWK) — Three firefighters were injured while responding to a structure fire at an apartment building in Proctorville on Sunday. The Proctorville Volunteer Fire Department says crews responded to the Applewood Apartments around 3:30 p.m. Officials say two firefighters were injured as a result of an explosion within the building. Lawrence County EMS […]

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (WABC) — A fire at a Coney Island auto body shop sent five firefighters to the hospital with minor injuries, according to FDNY officials. The two-alarm fire started just after 9:30 a.m. at a one-story auto body shop located at 3088 Cropsey Ave. Over 45 units and over 140 fire and EMS personnel […]

Battalion Chief and Firefighter Killed in Explosion of Gasoline Storage Tank W hile Operating During Arson Fire at Building Supply Company – Holdeman and Son Supply Company, Elkhart, Indiana – September 7, 1972 On September 7, 1972, Elkhart Indiana Battalion Chief Gerald Freed and Firefighter Terry Crouch were fatally burned, and nine other firefighters and […]

This happened at the Westfield Fire Station 2 on Bentley Road. WFD said the bullet missed the firefighter by just two feet. “Shooting a gun into the air isn’t just against the law… it’s deadly conduct with potentially deadly consequences,” WFD said. “If oyu hear what sounds like gunfire, call 9-1-1 immediately. One call can […]

Firefighter Dies Attempting Rescue of Utility Worker From Underground Sewer Vault – Tarrytown, New York – September 6, 2010 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report F2010-31 On September 6, 2010, Tarrytown Volunteer Firefighter John Kelly died after being overcome by low oxygen levels and sewer gases while climbing down into a sewer manhole in an […]

Raymond, New Hampshire — It is with profound sadness that Raymond Fire Chief Jason Grant and the members of the Raymond Fire Department announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Firefighter Eric Phillips, 44, following a medical emergency suffered in the line of duty. Firefighter Phillips was a valued member of the Raymond Fire Department […]

Two firefighters were injured early Saturday as fire crews responded to a rowhome where hoarding conditions hampered efforts to extinguish the flames, according to Philadelphia officials. The fire broke out at a three-story rowhome along the 1000 block of Wharton Street just before 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Philadelphia Fire Department said. Officials said crews […]

Twelve Firefighters Killed By Collapsing Walls At Theater Fire – Yore Opera House Fire – Benton Harbor, Michigan – September 6, 1896 On September 6, 1896, fifteen firefighters from the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan Fire Departments were trapped when the walls of a burning four-story brick and wood joist theater building in downtown […]

Firefighter Dies While Fighting Warehouse Arson Fire When Parapet Wall Collapses – Lyndonville, Vermont – September 5, 1998 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F98-20 On September 5, 1998, St. Johnsbury Vermont Firefighter Eugene McDonough was killed while fighting a mutual aid fire in an old warehouse structure in nearby Lyndonville. A total of four area […]

MONTOUR FALLS, New York (WWNY) – 6 students at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls were sent to the hospital this week due to signs of dehydration and illness. A state spokesperson tells 7NEWS the symptoms included cramping, headache/migraine, upper respiratory illness, dizziness and congestion. The cases happened over several days this […]

Five Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse During Hotel Fire – Grand Central Hotel Fire – Omaha, Nebraska – September 4, 1878 On September 4, 1878, five volunteer firefighters died from injuries they sustained after being caught in a structural collapse following a fire at the Grand Central Hotel located at 14th and Farnum Streets in […]

Battalion Chief Dies in Explosion While Fighting Tractor Trailer Fire – Greene County, Georgia – September 4, 2024 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2024-05 On September 4, 2024, Battalion Chief Christopher Eddy of the Greene County Fire Rescue Department was killed while operating at the scene of a tractor trailer fire. Battalion Chief Eddy was […]

DENVER (KDVR) — The West Metro firefighter who was critically injured after falling during a training exercise on July 29 is continuing his recovery journey with a smile on his face. West Metro Fire Rescue posted images of firefighter/paramedic Jarrod Leonard Thursday afternoon, showing him in a neck brace but still smiling as he and […]

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Fire officials say they’re investigating a blaze in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood that left one cat dead and multiple firefighters injured. It’s unclear what ignited the blaze. The San Francisco Fire Department said the flames erupted just before 6:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Anderson Street. When crews arrived, […]