22 years ago... Kansas City...

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Today is an unfortunate anniversary for Kansas City and Firefighters everywhere. On this date 22 years ago six firefighters made their last alarm.
Rest easy, Brothers...

[FWDbuff]

Today is an unfortunate anniversary for Kansas City and Firefighters everywhere. On this date 22 years ago six firefighters made their last alarm.
Rest easy, Brothers...

I remember this.....Wasn't it due to an explosion (of rock blasting explosives?) at a construction site??? There was some kind of a fire on the outside of a storage shed or something, and the fire extended to improperly stored explosives?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I remember this.....Wasn't it due to an explosion (of rock blasting explosives?) at a construction site??? There was some kind of a fire on the outside of a storage shed or something, and the fire extended to improperly stored explosives?

Correct, brother...

[rgp]

Twenty-two years ago yesterday, six Kansas City, MO. Local 42 Fire Fighters were killed when an arsonist set fire to a trailer loaded with ammonium nitrate at a highway construction site. This is the same fuel from the Texas City explosion and the Oklahoma City’s Murrer building. If I remember correctly, an engine went on a still for a vehicle fire than asked for another engine when they saw the trailer on fire. KCFD was never told of the trailer being full of explosives. While putting water on the fire, a massive explosion occurred. All 6 were killed. In fact, a chief’s car was arriving and was coming up a hill to the site when he radioed his windshield was just blown out. The explosion caused damage in a five mile radius. When I arrived three days later for the Memorial service to be held at Arrowhead stadium, several of us were allowed to visit the site which was still an active crime scene. We were on a hill looking down. When I asked what the different colored flags were located throughout the several acre site, I was told that is where some body parts were found. After several months, arrests were made and convictions. Though they never had a haz mat team, one was established several years later and goes under the call letters Haz Mat 71 for the two engine companies crews 30 & 41 that were murdered that night. May They Rest in Peace!!

[FWDbuff]

http://www.interfire.org/res_file/pdf/Tr-024.pdf

The National Fire Administration's report on the incident. Pretty interesting reading.

[EastKyFF]

My fire department went active in 1981 and, for its third call EVER, responded to a brush fire that soon reached a building where a large quantity of explosives were stored. Had the building not detonated when it did--prior to FD arrival--there could have been a very similar ending here to the horrific KC incident. The fire here was also arson.

So tragic, and such a powerful reminder of how close we are to such an event on every call.