On the evening of December 27,1983 a warehouse was the scene of the worst disaster and Firefighter LODD loss of life in the history of the Buffalo NYFD. The warehouse had contained an illegal 500 gallon propane tank whose valve was broken off while it was moved and the building was in the process of being evacuated. The propane gas started to leak, eventually reaching an open flame. The tank exploded, killing all 5 firefighters assigned to Ladder 5 and 2 civilians; it also damaged a dozen city blocks and caused millions of dollars of damage in fire equipment.
37 seconds after the chief announced his arrival, there was a tremendous explosion. It completely leveled the 4 story building and it demolished many buildings on four different blocks. It seriously damaged buildings that were over a half a mile away. The ensuing fireball started buildings burning on a number of streets. A large gothic church on the next block had a huge section ripped out of it. For an excellent article on this tragic fire by then new firefighter-and now, BFD Fire Commissioner Mike Lombardo, go to:
