Firefighter Close Calls

GLEN ARM, Md. (WBFF) — A firefighter experienced a medical emergency Monday afternoon while battling a house fire in Baltimore County, officials said. Shortly before noon on August 31, crews were called to the 12000 block of Long Green Pike in Glen Arm for a house fire. When crews arrived, they saw heavy smoke and fire on […]

Firefighter Killed in Fall During Tenement Fire – 231-233 East 118th Street – East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City – August 31, 1953 On August 31, 1953, FDNY Fireman Julius Feldman of Ladder 43 was seriously injured in a fall during a fire in an occupied tenement in the East Harlem section of Manhattan. While […]

Three Firefighters Fatally Burned in Gasoline Storage Tank Explosion – Gadsden, Alabama – August 31, 1976 On August 31, 1976, Gadsden, Alabama Fire Chief Ralph Speers and Firemen/Paramedics Mike Thornton and Mike Patrick died in a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) while fighting a fire involving an above-ground gasoline storage tank. While unloading premium […]

TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa firefighters rescued two crew members who became trapped inside a burning warehouse. Firefighters responded around 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 to the warehouse near 4th Street and Peoria Avenue and found heavy fire conditions, NewsOn6 reported. Crews entered the building to attack the fire before two firefighters became trapped, prompting a mayday. “We […]

Nine Firefighters Injured During Residential Structure Fire – McKinney, Texas – August 30, 2025 – NIOSH Serious Injury Report F2025-08  On August 30, 2025, two firefighters were seriously injured and seven sustained minor injuries while operating at a residential structure fire in a large single family dwelling in McKinney, Texas. At 21:10 hours, the 911 […]

Fire Lieutenant Killed in Floor Collapse During Four Alarm Commercial Fire – Ridgewood, Queens, New York – August 30, 1976 On August 30, 1976, FDNY Lieutenant Joseph Sparacino of Engine 291 died while operating at a four-alarm commercial fire in a wholesale beauty supply company in the Ridgewood section of Queens. He was killed when […]

A New Hampshire man whose home was going up in flames allegedly stole a rescue truck from responding firefighters, then crashed into a fire engine, drove over active hoses and narrowly missed three firefighters before fleeing the scene, authorities said. Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton, faces multiple charges after authorities said he stole the rescue vehicle […]

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Investigators say a Fayette County man is behind bars after being accused of hitting and killing a volunteer firefighter with the Confluence Volunteer Fire Company on Tuesday. The Fayette County district attorney’s office says Mark DiMatteo was allegedly driving intoxicated and without a license when he hit 62-year-old Ronald Hostetler in […]

Two Firefighters Killed While Making Initial Attack on Restaurant Fire – Boston, Massachusetts – August 29, 2007 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2007-32 On August 29, 2007, Boston Firefighters Paul J. Cahill of Engine 30 and Warren J. Payne of Ladder 25 died while conducting an interior attack on a fire located in the cockloft […]

Arson Fire in Strip Mall Claims Lives of Two Firefighters – Marks, Mississippi – August 29, 1998 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F98-21 On August 29, 1998, Firefighters Thomas Scott Selby and Justin Allen Melton‚ of the Marks, Mississippi Volunteer Fire Department died of smoke inhalation while performing separate tasks during an arson fire at […]

The Queensland Fire Department has admitted to a safety breach — not providing effective radios — at a 2023 factory fire that killed one firefighter and injured another. Firefighter Izabell ‘Izzy’ Nash, 46, died, and fellow Senior Firefighter Lia Drew was killed in the fire south of Brisbane. Several of their calls for help after […]

MARION, Ind. — One person is dead and two first responders are injured after a fire in Marion on Friday. According to the City of Marion Fire Department, around 12:40 p.m., crews with MFD were called to the 3600 block of South Prince Hall Drive for a structure fire with a possible trapped person. Marion […]

Two Firefighters Overcome in Dense Smoke Conditions During Fire Operations in Piano Factory – Waltham Piano Factory Fire – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – August 27, 1916 On August 27, Milwaukee Fire Captain Arnt Nessheim of Engine 8 and Lieutenant Dennis Moroney of Engine 30 died while operating at a fire in a piano factory in the […]

Seven Firefighters Killed in Flashover During Warehouse Fire – Kilbirnie Street Fire – Glasgow, Scotland – August 28, 1972 On August 28, 1972, while engaged in fighting a serious fire in a warehouse on Kilbirnie Street, Fireman James Rook of the Glasgow Fire Service became trapped. Six of his colleagues entered the property to rescue […]

SOUTH OZONE PARK, Queens (PIX11) — One civilian and two firefighters were injured after a two-alarm fire broke out in South Ozone Park on Thursday morning, according to the FDNY. A heavy fire was reported in the basement of a residential building at 109-35 110th Street at around 4:38 a.m. Officials say the fire then […]

TRENTON, N.J. — Two children have died after a house fire in Trenton, New Jersey. At least two firefighters were also injured in the blaze. The call came in just before 4 a.m. on Wednesday for a fire, with people reportedly trapped inside. When crews arrived, they saw heavy fire coming from a three-story house. Officials […]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Three firefighters were injured while responding to a fire overnight at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church in downtown Grand Rapids. A spokesperson for the Grand Rapids Fire Department told News 8 that the fire started around 11 p.m. Wednesday night on Oakes Street and Sheldon Boulevard. On social media, LaGrave Avenue CRC confirmed the […]

The fire broke out at a church near Broad and Madison streets in Carlstadt on Thursday, Aug. 27, according to Carlstadt Fire Department Public Information Officer Jarrett Milligan. Firefighters were responding to another alarm in the area when they noticed smoke coming from the church’s exterior roofline, Milligan said. Crews investigated and found a small […]

Three Firefighters Killed Fighting Silo Fire – Chippewa Township, Ohio – August 27, 1985 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report 85-49 On August 27, 1985, Lieutenant Tommy Ware, and Firefighters Robert Galehouse and Ed Brillhart of the Marshallville Ohio Fire Department were killed when a burning agricultural silo exploded. The firefighters were spraying water onto the […]

Four Firefighters Killed in Backdraft Explosion of Mercantile Building – What Cheer, Iowa – August 27, 1933 On August 27, 1933, Volunteer Firemen Marvin Bodeman, Oscar Roland, William Philips and Leslie Hermann were killed in an apparent backdraft explosion while preparing hoselines to attacking a fire in a mercantile building that housed a meat market […]