Firefighter Close Calls

Floor Collapse During Commercial Structure Fire Claims Lives of Two Firefighters – The Bronx, New York – August 27, 2006 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2006-27 On August 27, 2006, FDNY Lieutenant Howard J. Carpluk of Engine 42 and Firefighter Michael C. Reilly of Engine 75 were killed after the floor they were operating on […]

Firefighter Dies After Becoming Disoriented in Dense Smoke During Music Store Fire – J.M. Jenkins’ Sons Music Company Fire – Kansas City, Missouri – August 24, 1910 On August 24, 1910, Kansas City Missouri Fireman William M. Maher died after becoming separated from his engine company on the sixth floor of a burning musical instrument […]

At least one firefighter and four civilians were injured in Fort Worth as crews responded to a three-alarm fire at the Mariposa Park Apartments Tuesday morning, according to information shared by the fire department on social media. The injured firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and returned to the job, according to Craig Trojacek, a […]

Two firefighters were hospitalized for burn injuries Monday night after battling a blaze in south Fort Worth, officials said. Fire crews were called to a home in the 7600 block of Crowley Road about 10:40 p.m. Flames were already coming from the second story of the house when they arrived less than five minutes later, according […]

Fire Lieutenant Killed in Floor Collapse During Automotive Paint Shop Fire – Scranton, Pennsylvania – August 25, 1932 On August 25, 1932, Scranton Fire Lieutenant Hugh A. Flaherty of Engine 9 was killed during a second alarm fire in an automotive paint shop when a wall collapsed, and the second floor dropped onto the first […]

Three Firefighters Killed in Wall Collapse at Fire in Lead Factory – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 25, 1803 On August 25, 1803, three Philadelphia firefighters died after extinguishing a major fire in a lead factory along the riverfront. Firefighters were taking up from the scene when the front wall and chimney suddenly collapsed, burying several […]

Firefighter and Police Officer Killed in Fire and Explosion of Commercial Building – Durango, Colorado – August 24, 1974 On August 24, 1974, Durango Colorado Firefighter Nick Parks and Police Corporal Gale Emerson were killed in the explosion of a burning jewelry store in the downtown area of the historic mountain city. Local firefighters and […]

Lieutenant Dies Following Floor Collapse During Basement Fire and Firefighter Dies Attempting to Rescue Lieutenant – Super Speedy Deli Fire – Buffalo, New York – August 24, 2009 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2009-23 On August 24, 2009, Buffalo New York Fire Lieutenant Charles McCarthy of Rescue 1 died following a partial floor collapse dropped […]

Deputy Fire Chief Dies Tens Days After Exposure to Toxic Gases and Smoke During Fast-Food Restaurant Fire – Union, New Jersey – August 24, 1996 – NJ F.A.C.E. Investigation #96-NJ-060-01 On August 14, 1996, Union Township New Jersey Deputy Fire Chief Leslie Hendricks was critically injured, and two other fire officers received minor injuries after […]

Four Firefighters Fatally Burned in Explosion of Fuel Oil Tank During Commercial Building Fire – Highmore, South Dakota – August 22, 1957 On August 22, 1957, eight South Dakota firefighters were critically burned while attacking a fire in a farm machinery service dealership building in the small town of Highmore, South Dakota. Four of the […]

CHICAGO (WGN) — Four firefighters were sent to the hospital while the Chicago Fire Department battled a blaze on Chicago’s South Side Thursday morning. According to CFD, four firefighters were seriously injured after the department was called to a fire that broke out in the 5400 block of South Justine Street inside a vacant building […]

It is with a very heavy heart that we share the passing of Firefighter Mason Fercovic-Ortegel, who tragically died in an off-duty drowning incident at Lake Anna. Mason was only 24 years old. This is a heartbreaking loss for Mason’s family, friends, coworkers, and our entire FREM family. Please keep his family and everyone who […]

Two Firefighters Killed While Conducting a Search During Residential Fire – Dallas, Texas – August 21, 1981 On August 21, 1981, Dallas, Texas Firefighters Charles Rogers and Edward Metters died while searching for occupants in a residential fire when a portion of the roof of the structure collapsed trapping them. The three-alarm fire occurred in […]

Two Firefighters Killed in Fire Collapse of Sugar Refinery – Broome Sugar Refinery Fire – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – August 21, 1847 On August 21, 1847, Philadelphia Volunteer Firemen Andrew Butler and Charles H. Hine of the Perseverance Hose Company died while operating at a fire in a sugar refinery on Bread Street near Quarry Street […]

Two Firefighters Killed and 49 Other Firefighters Injured in Fire Collapse of Meeting Hall – Grand & Havemeyer Streets, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York – August 21, 1923 On August 21, 1923, FDNY Firefighters Raymond Farrell and James J. Sullivan of Engine 230 died while operating at a five-alarm fire in a three-story brick structure which […]

Three Ashland Firefighters Killed in Oil Tank Explosion During General Alarm Fire in Fuel Depot – Centre Coal & Oil Company Fire – Framingham, Massachusetts – August 21, 1963 On August 21, 1963, Ashland Massachusetts Fire Chief Charles Moran, Lieutenant Norman Barry and Fireman John Reebenacker were killed and another 20 people injured when a […]

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Three Bellevue firefighters had to be hospitalized after responding to a two-alarm building fire on Wednesday. The initial call for the fire near the intersection of NE Eighth Street and 148th Avenue NE came in about 11:20 a.m. Smoke and flames were visible as crews arrived, according to Bellevue Fire Department Deputy […]

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 […]