Firefighter Close Calls

Career firefighter says departments never had to recruit before, but now face ‘steady decline’ By Angeica Stabile Fox News Published May 10, 2026 Longtime firefighter says staffing shortage threatens crews and homeowners Jason Cerrano, of IDEX Fire and Safety, discusses the nationwide decline in volunteer firefighting, rising demand for emergency response and the need to […]

Firefighter Killed by Exterior Wall Collapse during Defensive Operations at Commercial Structure Fire – Pinckneyville, Illinois – June 17, 2011 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2011-15 On June 17, 2011, Du Quoin Illinois Probationary Firefighter Corey Shaw received fatal injuries when he was struck by bricks and falling debris during an exterior wall collapse at […]

Nine Firemen and Six Civilians Killed and Fourteen Injured in Parapet Wall Collapse at Theater Fire – The New American Theater Fire – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – June 19, 1867 On June 19, 1867, nine Philadelphia volunteer firemen were killed when a section of the parapet wall on the front facade of a burning theater collapsed. […]

Fire Lieutenant Killed and Five Injured in Structural Collapse of Multi-Use Occupancy During Cause and Origin Investigation – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – June 18, 2022 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report F2022-02 On June 18, 2022, Philadelphia Fire Lieutenant Sean Williamson of Ladder 18 was killed and five others were injured during a late night arson […]

Nine Firefighters Die in Rapid Fire Progression at Commercial Furniture Showroom – Charleston, South Carolina – June 18, 2007 – The Sofa Super Store Fire – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-18 On June 18, 2007, nine Charleston, South Carolina firefighters died when they became disoriented and ran out of air in rapidly deteriorating fire conditions […]

All, On June 17, 2001, FDNY Firefighters Harry Ford and Brian Fahey of Rescue 4, and John Downing of Ladder 163, died in the Line of Duty when an explosion occurred in the cellar of a hardware store in the Astoria section of Queens that caused a structural collapse. Firefighter Ford and Firefighter Downing were […]

A Milwaukee firefighter was injured while battling a second-alarm fire at an abandoned church on Wednesday morning. The Milwaukee Fire Department responded to the building on 26th and Auer just after 6 a.m. While assessing the church, a firefighter fell through the stairs and was taken to Froedtert Medical Center. The firefighter’s condition is unknown […]

  On June 17, 2001, FDNY Firefighters Harry Ford and Brian Fahey of Rescue 4, and John Downing of Ladder 163, died while performing interior fire suppression and exterior ventilation activities when an explosion occurred in the cellar of a hardware store in the Astoria section of Queens that caused a structural collapse. Firefighter Fahey […]

Nine Boston Firefighters Killed in Collapse of Hotel During Overhaul – The Hotel Vendome Fire & Collapse – Boston, Massachusetts – Father’s Day, June 17, 1972 Nine Boston firefighters were killed during the final stages of extinguishing a fire at the Hotel Vendome on Father’s Day, June 17, 1972. The building was under renovation to […]

ODESSA, Texas — An investigation is underway after a firefighter died battling a trailer fire in Odessa. Officials say Odessa Fire Rescue crews were called out to a residential trailer around 5 p.m. Sunday on South Westcliff Road near West Stagecoach Drive. As crews battled the fire, officials say conditions rapidly deteriorated, leaving three firefighters […]

The Buffalo Fire Department has suspended the routine practice of allowing lower-ranking officers to temporarily fill higher-ranking command positions, according to WGRZ. Fire Commissioner Daniel Pizarro issued the order May 29, ending a longstanding practice dating to the 1980s in which captains and other officers could “act out of title” when staffing shortages occurred. Pizarro […]

Cook County prosecutors have dropped charges against two men who were accused of starting a fire in a vacant building in order to submit a fraudulent insurance claim, leading to a blaze that spread to neighboring homes and caused the death of a Chicago firefighter. Anthony Moore, 49, and Nicholas Virgil, 39, had been facing multiple charges in connection with the fire […]

Firefighters were dispatched to 96 7th St. in Ridgefield Park at 6:47 p.m. for a reported structure fire, the department said. Assistant Chief Zardoya arrived on scene and confirmed smoke and flames coming from the building. A working fire assignment was transmitted at 6:51 p.m., followed by a second alarm for firehouse coverage within the borough, […]

POST FALLS, Idaho – In a ceremony with family and close supporters, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed Coeur d’Alene Fire Engineer David Tysdal and his family back into their newly renovated home following extensive accessibility modifications. “These renovations have transformed my daily life.” Tysdal said, “I can shower…I can cook again. There are no […]

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — An emergency responder in Glens Falls is heading home following more than two months of care after being injured while responding to a fire call. Micki Guy, a member of Glens Falls Firefighters IAFF Local 2230, was released from Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital on Friday morning, her family confirmed with NEWS10. Guy, 50, sustained severe […]

MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Two Missouri City firefighters are recovering after being hurt while responding to a Saturday house fire in the 3800 block of Quail Meadow Drive, according to Missouri City Fire & Rescue Services. The fire has since been brought under control. Crews arriving on scene encountered an intense attic fire and moved quickly to put […]

Two Chicago firefighters were among four injured in a 2-11 alarm fire at an apartment building in the Back of the Yards neighborhood early Thursday morning. The fire occurred in the 4500 block of South Laflin Street and brought more than 150 firefighters to the scene. The firefighters reportedly only sustained minor injuries, but two […]

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — The husband of a firefighter injured in last month’s fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont is providing a new update on his wife’s recovery. Paul Paige shared a photo of his wife, Katherine Paige, over the weekend, saying she was having a great day, sitting up, enjoying lunch, and […]

By Richard Chumney, CTInsider Staff WriterJune 6, 2026 Norwich city officials closed the Taftville Fire Company Friday over safety concerns and other issues, according to local officials and court records.  NORWICH — Taftville Fire Company was closed Friday morning, becoming the second local volunteer fire department to be shuttered by city officials this year over […]

MANCHESTER, Ky. (LEX News) — Multiple firefighters are now recovering from injuries sustained while fighting a fire that reached an estimated 1,375 degrees Fahrenheit at a Manchester home Friday. According to the City of Manchester Fire Department, crews responded to a two-story home just before 11 a.m. Friday. When they arrived, they found the home […]