Firefighter Close Calls

AUSTIN, Texas — The family of a longtime Austin firefighter is remembering his dedication to his community after his death from cancer, which the Austin Firefighters Association describes as a line-of-duty death. Fire Specialist Reggie Tait died after being diagnosed with cancer following nearly three decades with the Austin Fire Department. He was 57 years […]

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) is releasing initial and supplemental investigative reports* identifying the origin and cause of the deadly and destructive Eaton Fire that started on January 7, 2025.  The Eaton Fire tragically took the lives of 19 people and destroyed or damaged over 9,000 homes and […]

SEATTLE — A Seattle firefighter was assaulted after responding to reports of an automatic fire alarm in a Phinney Ridge building Wednesday, according to Seattle police (SPD). Seattle police responded to 6119 Phinney Ave. N after a firefighter reported being assaulted by a suspect while responding to an automatic fire alarm in the building, according to […]

The National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer: Alaska Firefighter Meeting is scheduled to be held on August 21, 2026, via Zoom or in person at the Ketchikan Fire Department in Ketchikan, Alaska. This meeting will connect fire service leaders from Alaska with a team from NIOSH to discuss firefighter health and wellness research and findings, as well as the National […]

Assistant Chief Killed and One Firefighter Injured by Roof Collapse During Commercial Storage Building Fire – New Carlisle, Indiana – August 5, 2014 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2014-18 On August 5, 2014, New Carlisle Indiana Assistant Chief Jamie Middlebrook died after being trapped under a roof collapse while fighting a fire in a commercial […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Backdraft Explosion While Battling Suspicious Fire in Drug Store – Kansas City, Missouri – August 5, 1929 On August 5, 1929, Kansas City Firemen John Morris, Frank Loncar, and Roy Rutherford died of the injuries they sustained while operating at a fire at a drug store in the southern portion of […]

Four Firefighters Fatally Burned During Fire and Explosion at Gasoline Transfer Station – Refiners Oil Company – Cincinnati, Ohio – August 5, 1920 On August 5, 1920, three Cincinnati firefighters were fatally burned and another firefighter received serious burns that led to his death the next day when three above ground gasoline storage tanks exploded […]

The blaze started just before 4:40 a.m. inside a conduit in front of 262 Cypress Ave. A conduit is a pipe that protects electrical wiring. The fire caused elevated carbon monoxide levels in the surrounding area. Multiple manholes caught fire in Mott Haven early Monday morning, leaving three firefighters injured and multiple people without power, […]

EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) — A fire on a subway work train filled the Astor Place station with smoke early Tuesday, injuring eight MTA workers and six firefighters. The southbound train caught fire on the express tracks at the station just before 2:30 a.m. The fire spewed heavy smoke through the station in the East […]

Fire officials are investigating a gas explosion that happened on Tuesday afternoon at the Albany Department of General Services headquarters building. Albany Police Department said two people were injured in the explosion that happened around 3:15 p.m. on Conners Boulevard. Fire crews, law enforcement, and emergency medical services responded to the DGS building for reports […]

Nine Firefighters and One Paramedic Killed in Massive Explosion of Warehouse Containing Ammonium Nitrate – Beirut, Lebanon – August 4, 2020. On August 4, 2020, a major explosion occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, caused by the ignition of more than 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate. The chemical, confiscated in 2014 from the cargo ship MV Rhosus […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Flashover During Three-Alarm Restaurant Fire – Shenanigan’s Saloon – Trenton, New Jersey – August 4, 1986 On August 4, 1986, Trenton Firefighters Joseph Woods of Engine 10 and Robert Mizopalko of Ladder 4 were trapped and killed by a flashover while searching for the seat of the fire in a burning […]

Four Firefighters Killed in Dust Explosion During Four-Alarm Fire in Metal Processing Plant – Metallurgical, Inc. Plant Explosion – Cleveland, Ohio – August 4, 1966 On August 4, 1966, Cleveland Ohio Firemen Charles Doehner and John Petz of Rescue Squad 2, Fireman Ralph Simon of Engine 33, and Fireman Joseph Toolis of Ladder 12 were […]

Sarasota County Fire Department crews responded to reports of a structure fire shortly before noon Sunday in the 1000 block of Herndon Place. Crews arrived on scene within six minutes, according to a news release. The fire was contained and is currently under investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal. During the incident, a firefighter […]

FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KRON) — A massive fire at a Foster City apartment complex continues to burn Monday morning after it started around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. The fire is at a multi-story building at 815 Sea Spray Lane. Four firefighters are being treated for minor injuries, according to the Foster City Police Department. Firefighters […]

AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Two firefighters were sent to the hospital following a house fire in Amsterdam on Saturday, according to authorities. The incident reportedly occurred on Brookside Avenue. Upon arrival to the scene, the Amsterdam Professional Firefighters said they found heavy fire in the front of the two-and-a-half-story duplex. The flames reportedly extended along […]

n Arlington, firefighters spent more than an hour battling a destructive blaze at a home in the 4400 block of 33rd Road North Sunday afternoon, leaving behind blown-out windows, smoke-blackened walls and one injured firefighter. Fire crews were dispatched shortly before 1:30 p.m., prompting officials to urge drivers to avoid the neighborhood as a heavy […]

Fire Captain and Firefighter Overcome During Remodeled Residential Structure Fire – Bullard, Texas – August 3, 2007 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-29 – Texas State Fire Marshal Firefighter Fatality Investigation FY 07-02 On August 3, 2007, Noonday Volunteer Fire Department Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek were fatally injured during a mutual aid […]

Firefighter Killed in Lightweight Wood Truss Roof Collapse During Arson Fire in Self-Storage Facility – Louisville, Kentucky – August 3, 1994 On August 3, 1994, Louisville Kentucky Sergeant John Strawn Nutter was killed after he fell through a fire-weakened lightweight wood truss roof during an arson fire in a self-storage facility in the southern area […]

Collapse of Bowstring Timber Truss Roof During Supermarket Arson Fire Kills Six Firefighters – Waldbaum’s Supermarket Fire – Brooklyn, New York – August 2, 1978 On August 2, 1978, six FDNY firefighters died in the line of duty when the bowstring timber truss roof of a burning Brooklyn supermarket collapsed, plunging twelve firefighters working on […]