Firefighter Close Calls

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — A Lexington firefighter was transported to a hospital early Sunday morning after they were injured while combating a working structure fire on Charles Avenue. According to Lexington Fire Battalion Chief Derek Roberts, the fire department was dispatched around 2 a.m. to the 800 block of Charles Avenue for a house […]

Eleven Firefighters Killed in Explosion of Propane Rail Car – Doxol Gas Distribution Plant – Kingman, Arizona – July 5, 1973  On July 5, 1973, 11 Kingman Arizona firefighters and one civilian were killed in a catastrophic BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) at the Doxol Gas Distribution Plant. The explosion occurred following a fire […]

Fireman Dies from Injuries Sustained in Fall Following Backdraft at Four Alarm Fire in Sporting Goods Store – Modell’s Sporting Goods – 200 Broadway, Tribeca, Manhattan, New York – July 5, 1941 On July 5, 1941, FDNY Fireman Carl H. Bischoff of Ladder 8 died from injuries he sustained when he fell through a hole […]

Fire Lieutenant Dies Encountering Hoarding Conditions During Residential High-Rise Apartment Fire – Brooklyn, New York – July 5, 2014 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2014-14 On July 5, 2014, FDNY Lieutenant Gordon Ambelas of Ladder 119 died after he was overcome by extreme fire conditions while attempting to find the seat of the fire in […]

Two Career Land-Based Firefighters Die After Becoming Lost and Running Out of Air During Marine Vessel Fire in Port – Newark, New Jersey – July 5, 2023 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report 2023-10  On July 5, 2023, Newark New Jersey Firefighters Augusto Acabou of Engine 16 and Wayne Brooks Jr. of Ladder 4 died after […]

Firefighter Dies After Becoming Disoriented During Residential Attic Fire – Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania – July 4, 2021 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2021-12 On July 4, 2021, Volunteer Firefighter Sean DeMuynck of the Penn Wynne-Overbrook Hills Fire Company died after becoming disoriented and transmitting a Mayday while operating during an attic fire in a […]

BELMONT (WGME) — Another firefighter injured in the May 15 Robbins Lumber mill explosion and fire is out of the hospital Friday night. Lieutenant Katherine Paige, who goes by Katie, was released from Maine Medical Center shortly after noon Friday. Katie Paige spent seven weeks in the hospital after being badly burned. Also read: Injured Maine […]

The FDNY says at least 10 firefighters were injured battling a third-alarm fire inside a warehouse in Greenpoint. Thick black smoke began billowing from the two-story recycling plant at 485 Scott Ave. around 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Crews arrived on scene seven minutes later and battled the blaze for over four hours, according to fire officials. […]

INDIANAPOLIS — Three people, including two firefighters, are in the hospital Thursday recovering from injuries sustained during an early morning blaze at a townhome. The Indianapolis Fire Department was called around 7:50 a.m. to the city’s northeast side on report of a blaze breaking out at a local apartment complex. Upon arrival at the Lake […]

Structural Collapse at Residential Fire Claims Lives of Two Chief Officers and One Firefighter- Gloucester City, New Jersey – July 4, 2002 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2002-32 & NJ Division of Fire Safety Firefighter Fatality Report – Gloucester City On July 4, 2002, Volunteer Fire Chief James Sylvester and Volunteer Deputy Chief John West […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Independence Day weekend started out on a fiery note for Apalachicola. The Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department responded to reports of a boat fire at 10 Foot Hole boat ramp around 10:30 a.m. Friday , according to a post on the agency’s Facebook page. Video from a witness to the fire shows […]

One Firefighter is Killed and Another Seriously Injured While Fighting Residential Attic Fire Caused by Fireworks – Buffalo, New York – July 4, 1997 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F97-16 On July 4, 1997, Buffalo Firefighter Michael Seguin was killed, and Firefighter Harold Emerson was seriously burned while fighting a fire in the attic of […]

Fire Captain Dies After Becoming Disoriented During Large Commercial Structure Fire – Boling, Texas – July 3, 2010 – NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Report F2010-16 & Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report FY 10-01 On July 3, 2010, Wharton Texas Fire Department Captain Thomas Araguz died while attempting to locate and extinguish a […]

Firefighter Dies After Fall From Fire Escape During Arson Fire in Tenement Building – Alphabet City, East Village of Manhattan, New York City – July 2, 1977 – Division 7 Newsletter March 2021 On July 2, 1977, FDNY Firefighter Martin Celic of Ladder 18 was killed during an arson fire in a vacant six-story brick […]

Firefighter Killed in Roof Collapse During Four-Alarm Fire in Commercial Laundry – East New York, Brooklyn, New York – July 1, 1961 On July 1, 1961, FDNY Fireman Robert Meill of Ladder 120 was killed and five other members were injured, two seriously, while fighting an late night fire in a row of one-story buildings […]

Five Firefighters Killed in Truss Roof Collapse at Automobile Dealership Fire – Hackensack, New Jersey – July 1, 1988 – New Jersey Bureau of Fire Safety Firefighter Fatality Investigation Report & NFPA Summary Investigative Report On July 1, 1988, Hackensack New Jersey Fire Captain Richard Williams, Lieutenant Richard Reinhagen and Firefighters William Kresja, Leonard Radumski […]

Two Firefighters Fatally Injured in Wall Collapse While Operating at Fire in Automotive Manufacturing Plant – Texas Wheel and Body Company Fire – Dallas, Texas – June 30, 1923 On June 30, 1923, Dallas Texas Fire Captain Albert Burris of Engine 10 died as a result of serious crushing injuries he received when a wall […]

Fire Chief Killed and Firefighter Seriously Injured in Wall Collapse During Department Store Fire – State Dry Goods Store Fire – Fort Collins, Colorado – June 29, 1965 On June 29, 1965, Fort Collins Colorado Fire Chief Clifford Carpenter was killed by falling bricks and mortar when a wall collapsed during a fire at the […]

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A firefighter was injured after a garbage truck tire blew out while crews were checking the vehicle following a commercial vehicle fire in Montgomery County on Thursday, according to Montgomery County Emergency Services District No. 1. The incident happened after Montgomery County ESD 1 responded to a reported commercial vehicle fire involving […]

Two firefighters were injured while responding to a house fire in Garner on Old Cascade Drive, around 6:15 a.m. They were injured while accessing a fire inside a wall. One firefighter needed stitches, another was treated for exhaustion, according to Garner Fire Chief Barrett Penny. Five fire departments worked to extinguish the fire: Garner, Cleveland, […]