Three FDNY Bravest Dead in Building Explosion
A Historical Look at Major Firefighter Fatality Fires
A listing of fires in the U.S. since 1960 that have claimed five or more firefighters
since 1960, sorted by date.
Only three other major emergency incidents,
including two explosions and a wildfire, have claimed more than six firefighters at one time since 1978.
Compiled from Federal Statistics and Firehouse.Com's Supreme Sacrifice listings by
noted Line of Duty Death researcher Hank Przybylowicz
Jan. 28, 1961 - Chicago, Ill. - 9 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
During a spectacular seven-alarm fire involving a six-story brick commercial building and an adjacent structure, a major wall collapse occurred, burying more than a score of firefighters under tons of rubble. Rescuers went to work immediately digging out their trapped comrades. A total of nine men were killed and 15 were injured, some seriously.
Oct. 26, 1962 - New York City - 6 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
Oct. 1, 1964 - Boston, Mass. - 5 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
On arrival, firefighters found a large, vacant, four-story brick and frame toy factory heavily involved in fire. As the building became fully involved, the fire went to four alarms. As the majority of fire was knocked down and was being brought under control, a portion of a side wall suddenly collapsed, burying several firefighters under the debris. As other firefighters began digging out their trapped brothers, the remainder of the wall collapsed on top of them. A fire buff helping
pull hose also died.
Oct. 17, 1966 - New York City - 12 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
A raging fire in the basement of a four-story brick loft building, caused the first floor to collapse, pitching most of the firefighters who were operating there into the roaring inferno. The ensuing collapse of the upper floors made immediate rescue attempts impossible. Many firefighters had close brushes with death that night and many heroic rescues were made. Several firefighters were seriously injured, but 12 died in the collapse, making it the worst tragedy in the history of the FDNY. The fire went to five alarms.
Oct. 16, 1967 - Cliffside Park, N.J. - 5 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
Almost instantly after arriving at a house fire, the entire roof collapsed, pushing out the rear wall onto a dozen firefighters who were operating there. Brother firefighters began to feverishly dig out the trapped men, and they were quickly removed to area hospitals as they were freed. A total of five men were killed in the collapse and six others were injured, one seriously.
June 19, 1972 - Boston, Mass. - 9 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
A wall collapsed, killing nine firefighters.
Aug. 17, 1975 - Philadelphia, Pa. - 6 Firefighters Explosion at oil refinery
Six firefighters were killed instantly, and a firefighter and a lieutenant were critically injured, while battling a spectacular explosion and $10 million fire at the Gulf Oil Refinery.
Aug. 2, 1978 - New York City - 6 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
Roof collapse killed six firefighters and left 34 others injured.
Dec. 27, 1983 - Buffalo, N.Y. - 5 Firefighters Gas explosion
As firefighters arrived at the scene of a reported propane leak in a
three-story radiator warehouse, a massive explosion occurred, killing
five firefighters instantly and injuring nine others, three of them
critically.
July 23, 1984 - Romeoville, Ill. - 10 Industrial Fire Brigade Members Explosion at oil refinery
A massive explosion at the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Ill. - the result of a propane gas leak in a cracking tower - killed 19 people, including ten members of the company's fire brigade.
July 1, 1988 - Hackensack, N.J. - 5 Firefighters Collapse at structure fire
Firefighters killed while operating at a general-alarm fire that totally destroyed a car dealership. Three were killed when the arch-truss roof collapsed on top of them in a second floor office, burying them under tons of rubble. Two others died when they ran out of air
after becoming trapped in a tool room by the collapse.
Nov. 29, 1988 - Kansas City, Mo. - 6 Firefighters Tractor-Trailer Explosion
Six firefighters in Kansas City, Mo. were killed instantly as they approached a semi-trailer from which smoke had been seen coming from. The trailers were loaded with explosives. The blast left two large craters in the ground.
July 6, 1994 - Glenwood Springs, Colo. - 14 Wildland Firefighters Overcome by raging wildfire
While operating at a major wildfire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colo., 14 forestry firefighters were killed when shifting 70-mph winds trapped them and the fire swept over their position.
Dec. 4, 1999 - Worcester, Mass. - 6 Firefighters Presumed Dead Became trapped in structure fire
Two firefighters are confirmed dead and four others missing and presumed dead in a vacant warehouse fire in Worcester, Mass.
Among the worst documented U.S. fires in terms of firefighters killed, according to the
National Fire Protection Association.
March 10, 1946: 13 firefighters killed in a roof collapse at the Strand Theatre in Brockton, Mass.
June 17, 1972: Nine firefighters killed in a collapse at the Hotel Vendome, Boston.
April 16-17, 1947: 27 firefighters killed following fires and ammonium nitrate explosions aboard two ships docked at Texas City, Texas.
Dec. 22, 1910: 21 firefighters killed at a stockyard and cold storage warehouse in Chicago.
July 29, 1956: 19 firefighters killed at the Shamrock Oil and Gas Corp. refinery in Sun Ray, Texas.
July 9, 1953: 15 firefighters killed in a wildfire in the Mendocino National Forest in California.
July 6, 1994: 14 firefighters killed in a wildfire on South Canyon mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colo.
Aug. 4, 1949: 13 firefighters killed in a forest fire at Gates of the Mountain, Mont.
Dec. 21, 1910: 13 firefighters and one police officer killed in a Philadelphia leather remnants factory.
Oct. 16, 1966: 12 firefighters killed when a floor collapses at a New York City drug store.
July 5, 1973: 12 firefighters killed at the Doxol Gas Co. in Kingman, Ariz.
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