Firefighter Close Calls

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. – Two firefighters and three other people were injured after a large house fire broke out early Tuesday morning in Blue Island. The fire erupted at a home near Fountain Hills Golf Club and drew a large response from firefighters, who spent several hours battling the blaze. Video from the scene showed heavy smoke pouring […]

Fire Captain Killed by Collapsing Parapet Wall at Two-Alarm Discotheque Fire – Brooklyn, New York – June 23, 1977 On June 23, 1977, FDNY Fire Captain John Stelmack of Engine 284 was killed by a falling parapet wall at a late-night two-alarm fire in a discotheque in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. While […]

Two Firefighters Killed and Two Workers Fatally Burned in Tank Explosion While Battling Fire in Asphalt Plant – California Refining Company – Perth Amboy, New Jersey – June 23, 1949  On June 23, 1949, Volunteer Firemen Lawrence Dambach and Howard Adams died in an explosion while operating a hoseline at a fire in an asphalt […]

A firefighter was seriously injured and two residents were hurt after a fire ripped through a mixed-use building in Clinton Hill early Monday morning.The fire broke out just after 3 a.m. at 504 Classon Ave., near Putnam Avenue, according to the FDNY.Fire officials say the flames started on the first floor of the three-story building […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse Following Explosion in Factory – Potter Oil Cloth Company – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – June 22, 1915 On June 22, 1915, Philadelphia Battalion Chief William James and Ladderman John Hillman of Truck Company 7 were caught under a collapsing wall after an explosion during a fire in an oilcloth and […]

Firefighter Dies in Fall from Roof at Apartment Building Fire – Brooklyn, New York – June 21, 2007 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-19 On June 21, 2007, FDNY Firefighter Daniel F. Pujdak of Ladder 146 died after falling from the roof while operating at a four-story apartment building fire in the Williamsburg section of […]

Firefighter Dies from Smoke Inhalation Injury Sustained During Initial Fire Attack – Pleasanton, Kansas – June 20, 2022 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2022-03 On June 20, 2022, Linn County, Kansas Firefighter Joshua Haynes was fatally injured while operating at a structure fire in a medical office building in Pleasanton, Kansas. The late-night fire occurred […]

Firefighters in multiple North Texas cities battled house fires Friday morning, at least one of which was suspected to be sparked by lightning. In Allen, one firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries after he fell through the ceiling while battling flames in the attic of a home on Morrow Lane. No one else was injured in the fire. […]

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 […]