Major Multi-Firefighter Fatal U.S. Fires Since 1960

A listing of fires in the U.S. since 1960 that have claimed five or more firefighters since 1960, sorted by date.

With six firefighters dead, Friday's Worcester, Mass. warehouse fire is the deadliest structural fire in terms of firefighter deaths in an interior fire attack since a 1978 supermarket fire in New York, according to the best available research.

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.

If you know of additional fires not including in these listings (five or more firefighter fatalities), please let us know via e-mail