Firefighter Close Calls

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Investigators say a Fayette County man is behind bars after being accused of hitting and killing a volunteer firefighter with the Confluence Volunteer Fire Company on Tuesday. The Fayette County district attorney’s office says Mark DiMatteo was allegedly driving intoxicated and without a license when he hit 62-year-old Ronald Hostetler in […]

Two Firefighters Killed While Making Initial Attack on Restaurant Fire – Boston, Massachusetts – August 29, 2007 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-32 On August 29, 2007, Boston Firefighters Paul J. Cahill of Engine 30 and Warren J. Payne of Ladder 25 died while conducting an interior attack on a fire located in the cockloft […]

Arson Fire in Strip Mall Claims Lives of Two Firefighters – Marks, Mississippi – August 29, 1998 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F98-21 On August 29, 1998, Firefighters Thomas Scott Selby and Justin Allen Melton‚ of the Marks, Mississippi Volunteer Fire Department died of smoke inhalation while performing separate tasks during an arson fire at […]

The Queensland Fire Department has admitted to a safety breach — not providing effective radios — at a 2023 factory fire that killed one firefighter and injured another. Firefighter Izabell ‘Izzy’ Nash, 46, died, and fellow Senior Firefighter Lia Drew was killed in the fire south of Brisbane. Several of their calls for help after […]

MARION, Ind. — One person is dead and two first responders are injured after a fire in Marion on Friday. According to the City of Marion Fire Department, around 12:40 p.m., crews with MFD were called to the 3600 block of South Prince Hall Drive for a structure fire with a possible trapped person. Marion […]

Two Firefighters Overcome in Dense Smoke Conditions During Fire Operations in Piano Factory – Waltham Piano Factory Fire – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – August 27, 1916 On August 27, Milwaukee Fire Captain Arnt Nessheim of Engine 8 and Lieutenant Dennis Moroney of Engine 30 died while operating at a fire in a piano factory in the […]

Seven Firefighters Killed in Flashover During Warehouse Fire – Kilbirnie Street Fire – Glasgow, Scotland – August 28, 1972 On August 28, 1972, while engaged in fighting a serious fire in a warehouse on Kilbirnie Street, Fireman James Rook of the Glasgow Fire Service became trapped. Six of his colleagues entered the property to rescue […]

SOUTH OZONE PARK, Queens (PIX11) — One civilian and two firefighters were injured after a two-alarm fire broke out in South Ozone Park on Thursday morning, according to the FDNY. A heavy fire was reported in the basement of a residential building at 109-35 110th Street at around 4:38 a.m. Officials say the fire then […]

TRENTON, N.J. — Two children have died after a house fire in Trenton, New Jersey. At least two firefighters were also injured in the blaze. The call came in just before 4 a.m. on Wednesday for a fire, with people reportedly trapped inside. When crews arrived, they saw heavy fire coming from a three-story house. Officials […]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Three firefighters were injured while responding to a fire overnight at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in downtown Grand Rapids. A spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Fire Department told News 8 that the fire started around 11 p.m. Wednesday night on Oakes Street and Sheldon Boulevard. On social media, LaGrave Avenue CRC confirmed the […]

The fire broke out at a church near Broad and Madison streets in Carlstadt on Thursday, Aug. 27, according to Carlstadt Fire Department Public Information Officer Jarrett Milligan. Firefighters were responding to another alarm in the area when they noticed smoke coming from the church’s exterior roofline, Milligan said. Crews investigated and found a small […]

Three Firefighters Killed Fighting Silo Fire – Chippewa Township, Ohio – August 27, 1985 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report 85-49 On August 27, 1985, Lieutenant Tommy Ware, and Firefighters Robert Galehouse and Ed Brillhart of the Marshallville Ohio Fire Department were killed when a burning agricultural silo exploded. The firefighters were spraying water onto the […]

Four Firefighters Killed in Backdraft Explosion of Mercantile Building – What Cheer, Iowa – August 27, 1933 On August 27, 1933, Volunteer Firemen Marvin Bodeman, Oscar Roland, William Philips and Leslie Hermann were killed in an apparent backdraft explosion while preparing hoselines to attacking a fire in a mercantile building that housed a meat market […]

Floor Collapse During Commercial Structure Fire Claims Lives of Two Firefighters – The Bronx, New York – August 27, 2006 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2006-27 On August 27, 2006, FDNY Lieutenant Howard J. Carpluk of Engine 42 and Firefighter Michael C. Reilly of Engine 75 were killed after the floor they were operating on […]

Firefighter Dies After Becoming Disoriented in Dense Smoke During Music Store Fire – J.M. Jenkins’ Sons Music Company Fire – Kansas City, Missouri – August 24, 1910 On August 24, 1910, Kansas City Missouri Fireman William M. Maher died after becoming separated from his engine company on the sixth floor of a burning musical instrument […]

At least one firefighter and four civilians were injured in Fort Worth as crews responded to a three-alarm fire at the Mariposa Park Apartments Tuesday morning, according to information shared by the fire department on social media. The injured firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and returned to the job, according to Craig Trojacek, a […]

Two firefighters were hospitalized for burn injuries Monday night after battling a blaze in south Fort Worth, officials said. Fire crews were called to a home in the 7600 block of Crowley Road about 10:40 p.m. Flames were already coming from the second story of the house when they arrived less than five minutes later, according […]

Fire Lieutenant Killed in Floor Collapse During Automotive Paint Shop Fire – Scranton, Pennsylvania – August 25, 1932 On August 25, 1932, Scranton Fire Lieutenant Hugh A. Flaherty of Engine 9 was killed during a second alarm fire in an automotive paint shop when a wall collapsed, and the second floor dropped onto the first […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse at Fire in Lead Factory – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 25, 1803 On August 25, 1803, three Philadelphia firefighters died after extinguishing a major fire in a lead factory along the riverfront. Firefighters were taking up from the scene when the front wall and chimney suddenly collapsed, burying several […]

Firefighter and Police Officer Killed in Fire and Explosion of Commercial Building – Durango, Colorado – August 24, 1974 On August 24, 1974, Durango Colorado Firefighter Nick Parks and Police Corporal Gale Emerson were killed in the explosion of a burning jewelry store in the downtown area of the historic mountain city. Local firefighters and […]