On 6/20/1919 the Mayaguez Theater fire killed one-hundred-fifty in San Juan, Puerto Rico “The Yaguez Theater was inaugurated in 1909 in the urban center of the town of Mayaguez.” “The World Almanac and Book of Facts states that 150 people died in the fire, although the records … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/19
On 6/19/1867 nine Philadelphia, Pennsylvania firefighters were killed “while operating at a major fire involving a theater, they were killed when they were caught under the collapsing front wall. In addition to the firefighters, three performers and three spectators were also … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/18
On 6/18/2007 in Charleston, South Carolina nine firefighters were killed when the roof collapsed during a fire in a furniture warehouse. Firefighters went into the building believing it could be kept under control. One employee made it out and a second was rescued, when the roof … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/17
On 6/17/1972 a collapse occurred during a four-alarm fire at the Hotel Vendome, 170 Commonwealth Avenue killing nine and injuring eight firefighters in Boston, Massachusetts. A portion of the rear wall suddenly collapsed during overhaul operations. “Constructed in 1871 and … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/16
On 6/16/1875 a Boston, Massachusetts firefighter died at a fireworks factory fire. “An explosion of gunpowder occurred at Charles E. Masten’s fireworks factory on Kemble Street, Roxbury. Box 213, (Norfolk Avenue & Hamden Street) was sounded at 2:58 p.m. Five civilians were … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/15
On 6/15/1904 the General Slocum steamship fire killed 1,030 in New York, New York after the boat left the dock in Manhattan with a group from Saint Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. A fire was discovered by a boy who was told to "shut up and mind your own business" in a … [Read more...]
FIREFIGHTER HISTORY 6/14
On 6/14/1954 the 1st nationwide civil defense drill was held. “The drill was organized and evaluated by the Civil Defense Administration and included operations in 54 cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. The basic premise of … [Read more...]