4/17/2013 West, TX a one-story, 12,000-square-foot unprotected wood-frame fertilizer plant (storage and distribution) facility explosion and fire killed fifteen (ten first responders), injured more than 250 and damaged or destroyed more than 500 buildings within a 37-block area … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

4/9/1866 the first meeting of National Board of Fire Underwriters occurred to work for fire prevention and loss control; in the 1960’s the National Board of Fire Underwriters merged into the American Insurance Association and in 1971 they form the Insurance Service Office … [Read more...]

4/8/1766 the 1st fire escape was patented; it was a wicker basket on a pulley and chain. 4/8/1858 a Toronto, Ontario, Canada firefighter died “after a major fire was brought under control on Adelaide Street, he along with other members of Engine 6 were standing on the side … [Read more...]