On 6/7/1932 the Ellington Apartments “fire killed thirteen and nearly two-score others were burned or injured in an explosion and fire which raged through the six-story building in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The explosion of unknown origin occurred at 12:30 at East Ninth and Superior Avenue. A crowd of 10,000 watched in horror as screaming figures were silhouetted against the windows. An odor of gas had been reported in the building the day before the fire… A thirty-six-year-old, water tower (elevated master-stream apparatus) that failed to function on the night flames destroyed the Ellington Apartments was Exhibit A before a committee of city officials and citizens, which was struggling this summer with the problem of raising funds to improve the Cleveland Fire Department. The Ellington horror could not have been more timely in awakening this city to fire-fighting interest. The fire chief presented a report to the public safety director that there is an immediate need for ten radio-equipped motor cars for the battalion chiefs, high-pressure hose wagons, seven 1000-gallon pumpers, a new water tower, and two reserve squads.”
On 6/7/1865 two Chicago, Illinois firefighters “were killed in a structural collapse at the Zea & Zimmerman warehouse. The warehouse was largely destroyed during the fire, but some interior and exterior walls were still standing as firefighters moved through the smoldering ruins several hours after the bulk of the flames had been extinguished. When one of the outer walls collapsed, eight firefighters were buried in the debris, and several others were injured. Firefighters moved quickly to rescue their trapped colleagues, but two died from their injuries.”
On 6/7/1871 a Fort Wayne, Indiana firefighter died in the basement of the Boltz Grocery store on South Calhoun Street. “A leaking barrel of rose oil, which was a kerosene-type mixture, was situated next to a pile of sacks that caught fire. On arrival, two firefighters entered the basement to locate the source of the smoke that was showing. After entering the basement, both men quickly became overcome by the smoke and oil fumes as they searched for an exit. The firefighter collapsed and could not be found. His partner, who also collapsed, was pulled through a window with a fire hook. Suddenly, a series of explosions occurred, causing the building to become involved in fire. Several firefighters suffered scorched faces and singed hair due to the blasts. After the fire was brought under control, the missing firefighter’s body was recovered.”
On 6/7/1875 a Hartford, Connecticut firefighter “died from the injuries he sustained while operating at Box 18 for a fire involving the railroad car shops.”
On 6/7/1893 three San Francisco, California firefighters “were killed at the Page Street fire by a falling chimney. The fire started in the rear of 1203 Page Street and consumed about 20 buildings before being extinguished.”
On 6/7/1911 a St. Paul, Minnesota firefighter “was injured at a fire on May 29, 1911, at F. J. Brings Feed Store, 314 W. 7th Street. Bales of hay fell, crushing him and leaving him injured internally. Pneumonia set in which, with the burns, caused intense suffering and death.”
On 6/7/1920 a San Francisco, California firefighter “died from the injuries he sustained after falling from a broken ladder.”
On 6/7/1933 a Toronto, Ontario, Canada firefighter died while fighting a fire at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Sherbourne and Earl Streets. While he and several other firefighters climbed up the wooden aerial ladder of Ladder 3, the ladder snapped about eight feet from the base. He was close to the tip and fell and became impaled on the broken section of the ladder. He died instantly from his injuries
On 6/7/2013 a ‘suicidal’ 59-year-old man “unhappy with the world” in China’s Fujian province set a bus on fire killing forty-seven of the ninety passengers on board.
On 6/7/2010 five people were killed in a manufactured home fire in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
On 6/7/1903 the business district of Brainerd, Minnesota was destroyed by fire.
On 6/7/1900 a fire destroyed 125 buildings in Virginia, Minnesota.
On 6/7/1884 several buildings were destroyed by an arsonist on Meadow Street in Wallingford, Connecticut.
On 6/7/1852 the Great Fire of Montreal, Quebec started around 6:00 a.m. at the corner of Saint Peter and Lemoyne Streets, in a carpenter’s shop, and extended on both sides of the street, to Little and Joseph Streets.
On 6/7/1902 nine men drowned when the whaleback steamer Thomas Wilson was cut almost in two by the steamer George Hadley half-mile south of the Duluth canal in Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota.
