2/12/1852 a Boston, MA firefighter died “while operating at a fire that destroyed a commercial building at the Isaiah Howe’s building at 20 Kingston Street. He was killed when he was caught under a collapsing wall. Several other department members were badly … [Read more...]

2/11/1876 a Manhattan, New York (FDNY) firefighter “died as a result of injuries sustained February 8th, when he was caught under a collapsing wall while operating at a fire. Two firefighters were killed in the collapse on February 8th.” 2/11/1903 a Philadelphia, PA … [Read more...]

2/10/1863 a patent was issued for first fire extinguisher for buildings to Alanson Crane Fortress of Monroe, Va. (No 37,160); a series of perforated pipes extending horizontally through the building fed from a vertical pipe that had a control valve located outside that could … [Read more...]

2/9/1858 a New Haven, CT firefighter “died after being shot during a riot. An altercation between Yale students and the firefighters of Engine Company 2 erupted and a riot ensued. Shots were fired, and one firefighter was shot and killed. Several of the students were arrested, … [Read more...]

2/8/1933 seven Omaha, NE firefighters were killed, and seventeen others were injured in a spectacular fire that destroyed the four-story Millard Hotel when the hotel walls collapsed. The loss was estimated at $250,000; all 45 guests made it to safety. The four-story historic … [Read more...]

2/7/1904 Great Baltimore (MD) Fire over 1,231 firefighters worked to control the two-day conflagration; that destroyed over 1,500 buildings covering most of the central city. Firefighters were hampered by unstandardized fire hose connections and equipment. Units responded from … [Read more...]

2/6/1966 Miami, FL an apartment fire caused by in a kerosene stove explosion in the 40-year-old slum building killed ten. “Four of the dead children were from one family and three from another.” … Olin L. Greene, a former (retired) Director of Division of both Florida and Oregon … [Read more...]

2/5/1898 six Boston, MA firefighters died in a building collapse while fighting a three-alarm fire in the George Bent Bedding Company at 116-126 Merrimac Street. Around 3:55 a.m. Box 412, Causeway and Lowell Streets, was pulled by Patrolman. Fire and smoke were showing when the … [Read more...]

2/4/1902 seven Saint Louis, MO firefighters were “killed in a fire at the American Tent and Awning Company at 312-316 Chestnut Avenue. The wall of the building collapsed on the firefighters just as they were satisfied the blaze was under control.” 2/4/1885 a Manhattan, New … [Read more...]

2/3/1939 nine Syracuse, NY firefighters were trapped and died in the collapse of a burning office building, buried under tons of wreckage. “The fire was discovered at 1:50 a.m. Scores of fire companies were called out by a general alarm, poured streams of water into the building … [Read more...]