Monday, April 9, 2012 Lieutenant Robert Neary (age 60) and Firefighter Dan Sweeney, (age 25), both from Ladder 10, were operating at that multi-alarm fire with exposures, this morning. While operating inside of one of the exposure structures, a wall collapsed, killing both of them and injuring several other Firefighters.

The two injured firefighters, Francis Chaney and Pat Nally, were taken to Temple University Hospital. Chaney was treated and released. Nally, who required CPR at the scene of the fire, remained in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

WHAT HAPPENED? Initial reports are that Chaney and Nally were rescued from the collapse in about 20 minutes, but it took Firefighters 2 hours to reach Lt. Neary and FF Sweeney. All 4 Firefighters had gone back into the Giamari Furniture store on a "routine check" to ensure the fire had not sparked again...."That's when the collapse happened . . . they were buried in debris....our teams had to cut timbers, remove debris and bricks to get to them"--according to PFD Commissioner Lloyd Ayers.


Lt. Robert Neary had 38 years on the department. He has been a Lieutenant since 1983. He was awarded four unit citations in his career. Before joining the fire department he was a Philadelphia Police officer for 3 years and He Was an Army reservist for 10 years attaining the rank on Sgt 1st class. Lt. Robert Neary leaves behind his wife Diane and their three children.

FF Daniel Sweeney followed his father, Captain David Sweeney (ret.), footsteps and joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in July of 2006. He has been stationed at Ladder 10 since 2007. Daniel has been awarded two unit citations in his career. Daniel was the loving son of his parents David and Marian Sweeney.