4/2/1848 two Manhattan, New York firefighters “were both killed when the building collapsed while they were operating at a fire. Another firefighter was critically injured in the collapse and died April 4th as a result of the injuries he sustained.” 4/2/1888 a Philadelphia, PA … [Read more...]

4/1/1853 the first salaried fire department was established in Cincinnati, OH; 444 men were hired as part-time firefighters. However, it was not until 1873 that firefighters were hired on a full-time basis and required to remain on duty in the engine houses. 4/1/1896 a … [Read more...]

3/31/1954 the Cleveland Hill School fire and explosion killed fifteen, and injured nineteen sixth-grade students, in Cheektowaga, New York a heavily populated Buffalo suburb. The fire flashed through the eight-classroom 100-foot-long wood-frame annex building just before noon … [Read more...]

3/30/1905 a Bronx, New York (FDNY) firefighter “was killed when he was caught in falling debris in a subway tunnel, as he and other firefighters were washing out remains from a fire from the day before.” 3/30/1923 two Manhattan, New York (FDNY) firefighters “were killed when … [Read more...]

3/29/1929 the 1st state law banning public use of fireworks was enacted by the Legislature in Michigan making it a criminal misdemeanor for individuals to light a firecracker without a permit. 3/29/1921 a Chicago, IL fireworks explosion killed eight and injured seventy-five. … [Read more...]

3/28/1960 the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire in Glasgow, Scotland killed nineteen firefighters. The fire broke out in a bonded warehouse owned by Arbuckle, Smith and Company in Cheapside Street, Anderston, Glasgow around 7:15 p.m. Fire was reported as smoke coming from a … [Read more...]

3/27/1841 The first steam fire engine was test by designer P. Hodge at City Hall in New York; the 14-foot long 7-ton contraption threw a 1-½ inch stream of water over the flagpole. City firefighters hated the engine, they believed it would replace the hand pump and put them all … [Read more...]

3/26/1873 a Philadelphia, PA firefighter died of head injuries while operating at fire at 16th and Spruce. 3/26/1892 a Chicago, IL firefighter died after he was injured while fighting a fire at the Cribben and Sexton Stove Foundry at 84th E. Erie Street. “Firefighters … [Read more...]

3/25/1911 the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire left 146 dead in New York City. The company employed approximately 500 workers, mostly young immigrant women some as young as twelve working 60 to 72 hours a week sewing clothes. The company occupied the top three floors of the … [Read more...]

3/24/1893 two Denver, CO firefighters “were killed from the injuries they sustained after a wall had collapsed on them at the Summit Fuel and Feed Company fire.” 3/24/1899 a Cleveland, OH firefighter died “while operating at a fire in a machine shop, he was killed when he was … [Read more...]