Firefighter Close Calls

On Monday a Bolingbrook Fire Department fire truck was struck by a semi-truck while crews were operating at a motor vehicle crash on the ramp to Interstate 55 at Route 53. The semi-truck struck the fire apparatus and continued driving, leaving the scene. Fortunately, there are no injuries due to this incident. This serves as […]

Eighteen people were hurt, including two firefighters, during an apartment building fire in the Belmont section of the Bronx, according to fire officials. Emergency personnel responded to 2174 Crotona Ave. just before 7:45 a.m. Thursday. Fire officials say the blaze escalated to a second alarm about seven minutes later. According to the FDNY, 141 fire […]

Two Firefighters Killed and Fire Lieutenant Seriously Injured During Basement Fire in Fur Store – The Kakas Brothers Fur Store Fire – Boston, Massachusetts – October 22, 1946 On October 22, 1946, Boston Fireman Patrick J. Cady of Engine 39 and Fireman Warren E. Barnard of Rescue 1 were killed while fighting a fire in […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Collapse During Major Alarm Fire in Furniture Store – Dundalk, Baltimore County, Maryland – October 22, 1984 Submitted by Rick DeGroot On October 22, 1984, Baltimore County Firefighters James Kimbel, Walter Bawroski, and Henry Rayner died in a collapse during a fire that destroyed a three-story furniture and appliance store under […]

GILBERTS, Ill. – A firefighter with the Rutland and Dundee Townships Fire Protection District was critically injured after suffering a medical emergency during a scheduled training exercise in the Gilberts. The incident happened Wednesday afternoon and fellow firefighters began providing medical care before the firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital, according to Fire Chief […]

HOUSTON – One firefighter was taken to the hospital after 100 firefighters battled a 2-alarm fire in the Meyerland area of Houston on Tuesday evening. According to the Houston Fire Department, the fire, which was located near the intersection of Braesvalley Drive and Burdine Street, near Chimney Rock Road, damaged around 20 units. Officials said […]

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Pete Silva, former Director of Fire Service Education and Training for the Wisconsin Technical College System, passed away yesterday afternoon. Pete dedicated much of his life to the fire service, serving not only as a firefighter but also as a mentor, educator, and champion […]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – The union, Professional Fire Fighters of Alabama, is suing the City of Huntsville, alleging the city illegally withheld public records about contaminated breathing air that sickened more than 50 Huntsville firefighters — a story 48 first broke. The complaint, filed on Tuesday in Madison County Circuit Court against the city and […]

Five Firefighters Fatally Injured in Collapse of Fire Damaged Warehouse – The Midway Fire – Vandalia Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota – October 21, 1900 Submitted by Rick DeGroot On October 21, 1900, Assistant Chief William Irvine, Lieutenant Francis Edey, Driver Louis Wagner, and Pipemen Andrew Johnson and Burtram Irish were crushed under a collapsing wall […]

A couple was killed and two firefighters were injured when flames tore through a townhouse on 8th Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware, overnight. The incident began at a home along 8th Avenue in Wilmington, Delaware, at about 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday morning. John Looney, Chief of Fire for the Wilmington Fire Department said that firefighters found […]

CHINA, Maine — A firefighter was injured while fighting a fire that caused significant damage to a home in China on Sunday night, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. Firefighters responded to a home at 19 41st Fire Road around 11:13 p.m. Sunday and encountered heavy flames with a garage or workshop fully […]

LEON COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) – For the second time in just over two months, Lake Talquin Volunteer Fire Department is having to replace or repair the equipment that helps them save lives. The department just experienced a theft in August, when a winch was stolen off of their truck. In a Facebook post Monday, the […]

Firefighter Killed After Being Struck by Collapsing Masonry Chimney While Operating At House Fire – Atco, New Jersey – October 20, 1979 Submitted by Rick DeGroot. On October 20, 1979, Atco Volunteer Firefighter Carl Hasselhan was killed while battling a house fire that also claimed the life of 14-year-old resident Paul Ogborn. Firefighter Hasselhan was […]

Two Firefighters Die While Searching During Fire in Renovated Wood Frame Multiple Dwelling – Biloxi, Mississippi – October 20, 1986 Submitted by Rick DeGroot. On October 20, 1986, Biloxi Firefighters Kurt Jacquet and Carl Ohr died while operating at a structure fire involving a large two-story wood frame building originally built as a single-family residence […]

ATOKA, Tenn. – A firefighter with the Atoka Fire Department was injured during a residential fire Monday morning, department officials said. Just after 4:30 Monday morning, the fire department said, they received a call about a house fire on Ash Rene Drive in the Rhodes Estates neighborhood. Crews arrived not long after and found the […]

SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Emergency officials in Somerset County say one firefighter was injured while battling a house fire Sunday afternoon in Shade Township. According to Somerset County emergency dispatch, crews were called to the 300 block of Bunker Hill Road, just after 10:30 a.m., and remained on scene for approximately three hours. Authorities […]

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Seven people were displaced following a single-alarm fire that filled an Allentown house with smoke Sunday afternoon. Around 3:30 p.m., the Allentown Fire Department, police, and paramedics responded to a reported house fire in the 1000 block of Cleveland Street, a press release says. When crews arrived on scene, there was severe […]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An Atoka firefighter was burned after becoming trapped during a house fire Monday morning, the Atoka Fire Department said. The firefighter was treated and released, and is now resting at home, they said. Atoka fire crews were dispatched around 4:30 a.m. to a fire on Ash Rene Drive in the Rhodes Estates […]

Wildland-Urban Interface Conflagration Kills 25 Persons Including Battalion Chief and Destroys Large Section of City – The Oakland Hills Firestorm of 1991 – Oakland, California – October 19, 1991 Submitted by Rick DeGroot. On Saturday, October 19, 1991, a firestorm swept through Oakland, California destroying 2,843 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment and condominium units while […]

Two Firefighters Fatally Injured During Flashover While Operating at Rowhouse Fire – Baltimore, Maryland – October 19, 2023 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report F2023-11 Submitted by Rick DeGroot On October 19, 2023, Baltimore City Fire Lieutenant Dillon J. Rinaldo and Probationary Firefighter Rodney Pitts III were fatally injured while conducting interior firefighting operations in […]