Firefighter Close Calls

SEATTLE — At least eight firefighters were injured while responding to a building fire in North Seattle Thursday morning. Seattle Fire Department crews responded to a residence along Sand Point Way NE just before 3 a.m. Thursday. One building occupant, a man in his 50s, was reportedly treated and taken to Harborview Medical Center in […]

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Two firefighters suffered serious injuries after a three-alarm fire in Somerville Thursday morning. Firefighters responded to a reported fire on Park Street shortly after 6:30 a.m. Crews said heavy fire conditions originated in the basement and spread through all three floors of the home. Authorities said the home had been vacant. The […]

MORRIS HEIGHTS, The Bronx (WABC) — A fire at an apartment building in the Bronx left one man dead, 10 others injured, including firefighters, and displaced dozens of residents Wednesday morning. The fire broke out at around 7:45 a.m. on Montgomery Avenue, between 174th and 175th streets in the Morris Heights section. An unidentified man […]

Nine Firefighters Injured and One Fatally By Floor and Wall Collapse During Fire in Manufacturing Building – Freund Brothers Manufacturing Company Fire – Chicago, Illinois – September 24, 1901 On September 24, 1901, Chicago Fire Department Engineer Charles L. Corey of Engine Company 29 was killed in the line of duty while operating at an […]

Three Firefighters Killed and Four Firefighters Injured Following Floor Collapse During Arson Fire in Row House – Wilmington, Delaware – September 24, 2016 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2016-18 On September 24, 2016, Wilmington Fire Lieutenant Christopher Leach and Firefighter Jerry Fickes died due to a floor collapse at a residential row house fire in […]

Three Salvage Corpsmen Killed in Wall Collapse During Three-Alarm Fire in Millinery Store – David Baird & Son Millinery Store Fire – Louisville, Kentucky – September 23, 1911 On September 23, 1911, Louisville Salvage Corpsmen Virgil Ferguson, Joseph Dial and Richard Hardiman were killed by a collapsed wall while operating at a three-alarm fire at […]

ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WMBF) – Two firefighters were injured while responding to a 100-acre wildfire in the Prospect community. It is unknown which department the firefighters served at this time. Robeson County spokesperson Emily Jones told WMBF News Monday that crews found the fire near the intersection of McMillan Road and Red Bank Road. Henry […]

STILLWATER, OK (September 21, 2026) —  Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) today announced the launch of the Institute of Firefighter Survivability, a major initiative stemming from a three-year memorandum of understanding signed in May 2026. This collaboration builds on OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s history of fire protection safety research and […]

Firefighter Killed and Seventeen Others Injured in Wall Collapse During Multiple Alarm Fire in 19th Century Mill Building Converted into Artists’ Studios – Clipper Mill Industrial Park, Baltimore, Maryland – September 16, 1995.  On September 16, 1995, Baltimore City Firefighter Eric D. Schaefer of Rescue 1 was killed in the line of duty while operating […]

Two Firefighters Die After Falling Down Elevator Shaft During High-Rise Fire – Willoughby Tower – Chicago, Illinois – September 22, 1981 On September 22, 1981, Chicago Firefighter Joseph Hitz of Ladder Company 1 and Firefighter Craig McShane of Engine Company 42 died in the line of duty and six other firefighters were injured while fighting […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse During Fire in Discount Store – Dollar General Store Fire – McGehee, Arkansas – September 20, 1975 On September 20, 1975, McGehee Arkansas Firefighters David R. Dupwe III, Walter Russell Leonard Jr., and Michael James Hunt were killed when a wall collapsed on them while battling a fire in […]

NEW YORK (WCBS) – Crews were hurt while battling a fire at a Brooklyn restaurant Saturday. The Fire Department of New York says it received a call just before 5:30 p.m. According to fire officials, three restaurants occupy the building, and the fire extended through the space between the ceiling and the roof from one […]

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo Fire and Rescue Chief Allison Armstrong was hurt in a hit-and-run crash while out of state for a firefighter conference. Armstrong posted on social media Saturday that she suffered “significant injuries” from a crash on Friday night. She explained that another driver hit her vehicle and pushed it into a […]

Firefighter Crushed in Wall and Roof Collapse During Suspicious Three-Alarm Fire in Auto Repair Shop – Hartford, Connecticut – September 15, 1974 On September 15, 1974, Hartford Firefighter Thomas Fischer of Engine 8 was killed while operating at a suspicious three-alarm fire involving an automobile trim shop. The building had suffered a major fire the […]

A fire of unknown origin broke out at a house in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, injuring two people, including a firefighter and the homeowner, during extinguishing operations. According to the North Gyeongsang Fire Department on the 19th, the fire erupted around 12:33 p.m. at a house in Cheonbuk-myeon, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. During firefighting efforts, […]

A firefighter with Orebank Volunteer Fire Department was injured Friday evening during a response to a fire at an outbuilding in the 6100 block of Warrensburg Road, the department’s fire chief told The Greeneville Sun. David Peters said Josh Ball, a new member of the department, breathed in smoke emitting from the outbuilding when the […]

LANGSTON, Okla. — Former Langston assistant fire chief Brian Orndorff is facing a misdemeanor assault and battery charge after allegedly hitting a female firefighter in the department on July 17, according to court documents filed Wednesday. The charge could result in up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. District Attorney Jeremiah Gregory […]

A homicide investigation is underway after a 67-year-old woman was found dead in a suitcase at a Kansas fire station, police said. The investigation began Wednesday evening when two people went to Wichita Fire Station 22 with a suitcase, saying a body was inside, the Wichita Police Department said. Police said the woman has since […]

Fire Captain Killed and Ten Others Injured in Wall Collapse During Fire in Junk Warehouse – Henry Rosen Junk Warehouse Fire – Toledo, Ohio – September 19, 1900 On September 19, 1900, Toledo Ohio Fire Captain John Gallagher of Hook & Ladder No. 3 was crushed beneath the falling walls of a burning three-story iron-clad […]

Fire Captain Falls to Death Down Airshaft During Four-Alarm Factory Fire – Beehler Umbrella Factory Fire – Baltimore, Maryland – September 12, 1922 On September 12, 1922, Baltimore City Fire Captain George A. Lenz of Engine 7 was killed while operating on the roof during a four-alarm fire in an umbrella factory in the Westside […]