Firefighter Close Calls

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 […]

Refinery Blaze Kills Eight Firefighters – Gulf Oil Refinery Fire – Girard Point, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 17, 1975 On August 17, 1975, eight Philadelphia firefighters died fighting an eleven-alarm fire at Gulf Oil Corporation’s Girard Point refinery in South Philadelphia. The blaze began when an overfilled oil storage tank released vapors that ignited near […]

Firefighter Killed and Dozens More Injured in Fire Collapse During Overhaul Operations Following Three-Alarm Fire in Mercantile Loft Warehouse – The Grotjan & Lobe Building Fire – Baltimore, Maryland – August 16, 1907 On August 16, 1907, Baltimore City Tillerman George E. Gill of Hook and Ladder Company 4 was killed when the top floor […]

Firefighter Killed in Fall from Fire Escape During Abandoned Building Fire – 237-239 Broadway – Newark, New Jersey – August 16, 1980 On August 16, 1980, Newark, New Jersey Firefighter Harry F. Halpin was killed while conducting overhaul operations during a fire in an abandoned three-story brick and wood joist multiple dwelling in the North […]

Firefighter Killed and Two Others Injured in Truss Roof Collapse During Three-Alarm Auto Dealership Fire – Chicago, Illinois – August 15, 1975 On August 15, 1975, Chicago Fireman Donald A. Moore of Truck 58 died after an eighteen-foot-tall brick wall collapsed on him as he and two other firefighters were trying to force entry into […]

Three Firefighters and Two Civilian Rescue Workers Killed in Backdraft Explosion and Collapse – The Lake Street Fire – Reno, Nevada – August 15, 1948 On August 15, 1949, Sparks Fire Chief Frank Hobson, and Reno Fire Captain Glen Davis and Fireman Earl Platt were killed in a backdraft explosion and collapse during a fire […]

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A fire in south-central Kansas left a home destroyed and two firefighters injured Thursday, according to authorities. Cowley County Fire District 4 said that around 11:15 a.m., maintenance workers with the City of Udall were on a bucket truck when they spotted smoke coming from the east side of the city. […]

One firefighter has been confirmed dead after an explosion occurred at a shipbuilding plant in Fu’an city, Fujian province on Thursday afternoon, according to a statement released by the city’s fire and rescue bureau on Thursday night. At around 1:09 pm, a fire broke out on a ship in Gantang township, and rescue forces responded […]

A federal judge has given the families of three Baltimore firefighters who died on the job in 2022 another chance in their yearslong legal battle with the city. U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox allowed the families of Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/firefighter Kenny Lacayo to file an amended complaint against the city this week, giving them another opportunity […]

Firefighter Struck and Killed By Water Cannon on Fireboat While Battling Fire in Oil Storage Warehouse – Standard Oil Company Devoe Storage Yard – Long Island City, Queens, New York – August 14, 1913 On August 14, 1913, FDNY Marine Fireman Brereton E. Johnson of Fireboat 77, the Abram S. Hewitt, was killed while fighting […]

Fire Lieutenant Dies After Being Trapped in Attic After Falling Through Roof While Conducting Ventilation Operations- Dallas, Texas – August 14, 2011 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2011-20 & Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office Investigative Report FY 11-07 On August 14, 2011, Dallas Fire-Rescue Lieutenant Todd Krodle died after falling through a roof and being […]