4/16/1947 the Texas City, Texas disaster killed 581 including twenty-seven firefighters and 3,500 were injured when 2,300 tons ammonium nitrate fertilizer aboard the SS Grandcamp exploded. Smoke was spotted from one of the cargo holds, fearing damaging the cargo the hold was … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/15
4/15/1840 two Manhattan, New York firefighters were killed when they were caught under a collapsing wall while operating at a fire. 4/15/1857 a Baltimore, MD firefighter “died at his home as a result of injuries the injuries he sustained the previous day in a warehouse fire … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/14
4/14/1857 “A fire, starting in a row of five-story brick warehouses, in Baltimore, MD, quickly engulfed the entire row of buildings. Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters to stop the spread of the flames, the fire continued around the corner and engulfed a complex of … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/13
4/13/1970 the oxygen tank onboard Apollo 13 exploded 200,000 miles from Earth during the third manned lunar landing mission. Mission Commander Lovell reported to mission control: "Houston, we've had a problem here," 4/13/1859 an Atlanta, GA firefighter died “during a fire in a … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/12
4/12/1895 a Worcester, MA firefighter died while fighting a fire in “a four-story brick clothing factory that was fully involved. Fire fighting efforts were hampered by wire-laden telegraph poles around the building and high winds. The members of Truck 3 were moving a 65-foot … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/11
4/11/1874 a Baltimore, MD firefighter died after extinguishing a fire in a grocery store, several firefighters entered the basement with lanterns to overhaul. Without warning, a barrel of gasoline suddenly exploded after the fumes came in contact with one of the lanterns. All of … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 4/10
4/10/1882 a Cleveland, OH firefighter died as a result of inhaling sulfuric acid fumes while operating at a fire. 4/10/1904 a Galesburg, IL firefighter died “while fighting a fire that destroyed Galesburg High School. He was killed when the east wall of the school collapsed as … [Read more...]