Firefighter Close Calls

Lieutenant Dies Following Floor Collapse During Basement Fire and Firefighter Dies Attempting to Rescue Lieutenant – Super Speedy Deli Fire – Buffalo, New York – August 24, 2009 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2009-23 On August 24, 2009, Buffalo New York Fire Lieutenant Charles McCarthy of Rescue 1 died following a partial floor collapse dropped […]

Deputy Fire Chief Dies Tens Days After Exposure to Toxic Gases and Smoke During Fast-Food Restaurant Fire – Union, New Jersey – August 24, 1996 – NJ F.A.C.E. Investigation #96-NJ-060-01 On August 14, 1996, Union Township New Jersey Deputy Fire Chief Leslie Hendricks was critically injured, and two other fire officers received minor injuries after […]

Four Firefighters Fatally Burned in Explosion of Fuel Oil Tank During Commercial Building Fire – Highmore, South Dakota – August 22, 1957 On August 22, 1957, eight South Dakota firefighters were critically burned while attacking a fire in a farm machinery service dealership building in the small town of Highmore, South Dakota. Four of the […]

CHICAGO (WGN) — Four firefighters were sent to the hospital while the Chicago Fire Department battled a blaze on Chicago’s South Side Thursday morning. According to CFD, four firefighters were seriously injured after the department was called to a fire that broke out in the 5400 block of South Justine Street inside a vacant building […]

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of Firefighter Mason Fercovic-Ortegel, who tragically died in an off-duty drowning incident at Lake Anna. Mason was only 24 years old. This is a heartbreaking loss for Mason’s family, friends, coworkers, and our entire FREM family. Please keep his family and everyone who […]

Two Firefighters Killed While Conducting a Search During Residential Fire – Dallas, Texas – August 21, 1981 On August 21, 1981, Dallas, Texas Firefighters Charles Rogers and Edward Metters died while searching for occupants in a residential fire when a portion of the roof of the structure collapsed trapping them. The three-alarm fire occurred in […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Fire Collapse of Sugar Refinery – Broome Sugar Refinery Fire – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 21, 1847 On August 21, 1847, Philadelphia Volunteer Firemen Andrew Butler and Charles H. Hine of the Perseverance Hose Company died while operating at a fire in a sugar refinery on Bread Street near Quarry Street […]

Two Firefighters Killed and 49 Other Firefighters Injured in Fire Collapse of Meeting Hall – Grand & Havemeyer Streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York – August 21, 1923 On August 21, 1923, FDNY Firefighters Raymond Farrell and James J. Sullivan of Engine 230 died while operating at a five-alarm fire in a three-story brick structure which […]

Three Ashland Firefighters Killed in Oil Tank Explosion During General Alarm Fire in Fuel Depot – Centre Coal & Oil Company Fire – Framingham, Massachusetts – August 21, 1963 On August 21, 1963, Ashland Massachusetts Fire Chief Charles Moran, Lieutenant Norman Barry and Fireman John Reebenacker were killed and another 20 people injured when a […]

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Three Bellevue firefighters had to be hospitalized after responding to a two-alarm building fire on Wednesday. The initial call for the fire near the intersection of NE Eighth Street and 148th Avenue NE came in about 11:20 a.m. Smoke and flames were visible as crews arrived, according to Bellevue Fire Department Deputy […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Oil Refinery Fire and Explosion – Point Breeze Oil Refinery Fire – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 20, 1901 On August 20, 1901, Philadelphia Foreman James A. Eells and Hoseman John D. McCullen of Engine Company 49 and Ladderman Frank Davis of Truck Company “I” were killed in the line of duty, […]

Two Firefighters Killed After Being Trapped in Flashover During Basement Fire in Row House – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 20, 2004 On August 20, 2004, Philadelphia Fire Captain John Taylor and Firefighter Rey Rubio of Engine 28 were killed after becoming trapped in a flashover during a basement fire in a row house in the […]

Restaurant/Tavern Fire Results in Death of One Firefighter and Serious Injuries to Three Other Firefighters – Larwill, Indiana – August 19, 1997 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F97-07 On August 19, 1997, South Whitley Indiana Firefighter Jeffrey E. Sammons and two other firefighters entered a restaurant/tavern structure that had smoke and flames emitting through the […]

A two-alarm fire has left three people in the care of the American Red Cross and five firefighters injured Sunday morning. According to the Buffalo Police Department, a fire at a vacant house on Trenton Avenue sparked at around 3:15 a.m.; more firefighters were called to the scene shortly after to help fight the fire. […]

Two Firefighters Die Following Seven-Alarm Fire in High-Rise Building Undergoing Deconstruction – Deutsche Bank Building, Manhattan, New York – August 18, 2007 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-37 On August 18, 2007, FDNY Firefighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino of Engine 24 became trapped in the maze-like conditions of a high-rise building undergoing deconstruction. The […]

Five Firefighters and One Civilian Killed in Explosion of Gasoline Storage Tanks – The Southwest Boulevard Fire – Kansas City, Missouri – August 18, 1959 On August 18, 1959, the Kansas City Fire Department was hit with their largest loss of life in the line of duty to date when a 25,000 gallon gasoline tank […]

A union has called for “action” against years of fire service cuts after a firefighter was injured in a restaurant blaze. Cleveland Fire Authority will bring plans to address a £1.2m deficit to public consultation later, including reducing hours at Thornaby Fire Station and an overtime cap. But Cleveland Fire Brigades Union (FBU) secretary James […]

HAMILTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) — A firefighter was seriously injured during a battle with a top-floor fire in Hamilton Heights, according to the FDNY. Fire units responded to a reported roof fire just after 6:15 p.m. Sunday at 3657 Broadway, officials said. The fire was quickly upgraded to a two-alarm fire before responding units got […]

A Bargersville Community Fire Department lieutenant was injured after a tree branch struck them in the chest through the open window of a firetruck Monday morning. According to a release by the fire department, the incident happened while returning from a mutual aid water rescue response in Madison Township. A crew was dispatched at 7:10 […]

Five Firefighters Fatally Burned in Explosion During Chemical Factory Fire – Van Schaack Brothers Chemical Works Fire – Chicago, Illinois – August 17, 1940 On August 17, 1940, Chicago Fire Lieutenant William Schmidt, Lieutenant James Mulcahy, and Firemen Raymond Carroll, Alfred Schilling and Charles Harrsch were fatally burned in an explosion at a chemical factory […]