Firefighter Close Calls

Seven Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse During Warehouse Fire – FleischmanN Yeast Factory Warehouse Fire – Peekskill, New York – August 1, 1918 On August 1, 1918, seven members of the Peekskill New York Fire Department lost their lives when a wall of a burning grain warehouse collapsed. Just after midnight, firefighters were summoned to […]

Fire and Explosion in Sub-Cellar of High-Rise Hotel Kills Eight Firefighters – The Ritz Tower Explosion – Manhattan, New York – August 1, 1932 On August 1, 1932, a fire and explosion in a paint storage room in a sub-cellar of the Ritz Towers luxury residential hotel in Midtown Manhattan claimed the lives of eight […]

Firefighter Killed While Battling Three-Alarm Fire in Sub-Cellar of Mercantile Loft Building – NoHo, Manhattan, New York – July 31, 1948 On July 31, 1948, FDNY Fireman Joseph J. Brecht of Engine 5 was killed after being overcome by smoke and fumes while operating at a fire in the sub-cellar of a six-story mercantile loft […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Roof Collapse While Searching for Reported Trapped Person During Suspicious Fire in Mercantile Building – The Main Street Fire – White Plains, New York – July 31, 1954 On July 31, 1964, White Plains Firemen Bernard Callahan and Salvatore Galasso died while searching for an elderly man reported trapped on the […]

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Fire Department is investigating after a heavy fire broke out in a vacant building on Indy’s northeast side early Thursday morning. Just after midnight July 30, IFD crews responded to the scene of the heavy fire in the 3800 block of North Emerson Avenue, near 38th Street. Firefighters arrived on scene to flames bursting […]

Fire Lieutenant and Firefighter Die in Flashover During Live-Fire Training Evolution – Kissimmee, Florida – July 30, 2002 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2002-34 On July 30, 2002, Osceola County Fire Rescue Lieutenant John Mickel and Firefighter Dallas Begg died while participating in a live-fire training evolution in an acquired structure. A flashover occurred several […]

Four Firefighters Killed in Backdraft Explosion During Five Alarm Hotel Fire – Herbert Hotel – San Francisco, California – July 30, 1946 On July 30, 1946, San Francisco Fire Lieutenant John Borman of Truck 8, Firemen Albert Hudson and Walter Elvitsky of Rescue Squad 1, and Fireman Charles Lynch of the Salvage Corps were killed […]

NEWTON FALLS – A firefighter is in stable condition following being injured during a response to an apartment fire in Newton Falls on Wednesday morning. The NF Joint Fire District responded to Newton Village Apartments on Ridge Road just before 10 a.m. Wednesday. The identity of the firefighter injured is confidential at this time, according […]

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — Multiple firefighters and multiple residents have been hospitalized after sustaining injuries in a house fire in Hamtramck, the city’s fire marshal tells us. The fire started Wednesday morning around 8 a.m. at a home in the 3800 block of Belmont Street. The Detroit Fire Department said one of their firefighters is […]

OLDENHAM – The fire in the Coldenham firehouse early Tuesday caused significant damage to the building at 511 Coldenham Drive and damaged several pieces of equipment. Five firefighters sustained smoke inhalation and minor injuries and were treated and released from area hospitals. The fire was called in at 3:14 a.m., and members were confronted with […]

Conflagration Sweeps Several Blocks of City Following Explosions at Manufacturing Plant Killing Ten Persons including One Firefighter – R. M. Hollingshead Corporation Fire – Camden, New Jersey – July 30, 1940 On July 30, 1940, a fire following a series of explosions in the R. M. Hollingshead Corporation plant in Camden, New Jersey quickly assumed […]

Nineteen Firefighters Killed During Oil Refinery Fire – Shamrock Oil Refinery Fire & Explosion – Sunray, Texas – July 29, 1956 On July 29, 1956, a large spherical tank of liquid flammable gas exploded during a fire at an oil refinery and storage facility near the Northern Texas community of Sunray. A 15,000-barrel pumpkin-shaped spheroid […]

FOX CROSSING, Wis. (WBAY) — Monday’s storms destroyed Fire Station 41 in Fox Crossing, leaving crumpled sheets of metal on the ground where the station’s roof once stood and burying several fire engines under rubble. The Fox Crossing Community Center also sustained what village officials described as “significant damage” that will take time to fully […]

All, This is a brief message from Gordon Graham-asking to please pass this on to your local municipal water department, water district, wastewater agency etc. “One of the things that has always impressed me about the fire service is the commitment to learning, preparedness, and protecting the communities we serve. Those same values are essential in the […]

A major incident was declared, and more than 100 firefighters were sent to tackle a massive fire which ripped through an industrial unit and caused a huge explosion, triggered by a store of fertilizer. Footage which captured the moment of the explosion showed a ball of flames erupting into the air and people fleeing, while […]

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Two firefighters suffered minor injuries during a two-alarm fire in Ellicott City Monday morning. According to the Howard County Fire Department, firefighters received multiple 911 calls for a fire in the 2600 block of Legends Way. They found heavy fire through the roof of two townhomes. The roof collapsed at the house […]

COLDENHAM – Firefighters in Coldenham responded to a fire call just before 3:30 this morning, but they didn’t have to travel far. Their firehouse was on fire. Vehicles were pulled out of the building at 511 Coldenham Drive as firefighters from several area departments helped quell the flames. The cause of the fire is under […]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) -Three Birmingham firefighters are recovering after being injured in a fire at Airport Lounge. The fire happened just before midnight on July 26 on 50th Street North. 3 Birmingham firefighters are recovering after a fire at Airport Lounge.(WBRC) Birmingham Fire and Rescue says the firefighters were taken to UAB Hospital. One firefighter […]

Fire Captain Dies and Nine Firefighters Injured During Multi-Story Medical Building Arson Fire – Asheville, North Carolina – July 28, 2011 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2011-18 On July 28, 2011, Asheville Fire Captain Jeffrey Bowen of Rescue 3 died, and nine firefighters were injured during a fire in a six-story medical office building while […]

Fireboat Engineer Killed While Battling Oil Barge Fire – Buffalo, New York – July 27, 1928  On July 27, 1928, Buffalo Marine Engineer Thomas J. Lynch of the Fireboat William S. Grattan was killed during a general-alarm fire that started in a large oil barge and threatened to spread to the oil refinery near where […]