The first is the Worcester Cold Storage fire that occurred on December 3, 1999. The second, discussed below, is the loss of 3 Firefighters in Keokuk, Iowa.
===WORCESTER (MA) WAREHOUSE FIRE TAKES THE LIVES OF SIX FIREFIGHTERS
We all remember wonderful but also (and sadly), tragic events that have occurred in our lives as well. On December 3rd of 1999, I was attending a community Christmas celebration in our town when beepers started to beep providing initial details about missing Firefighters in Worcester (MA)-and then more details-and then even more info and the final incredible details came out.
The Worcester Fire Department responded at 1813 hours that night to Box Alarm 1438 for a fire at 266 Franklin Street.(NOTE: 266 Franklin Street is now the the address and location of WFD’s E-6, E-12, L-1, R-1 and Scuba-1 quarters)
2 members of Rescue 1, Firefighter Paul Brotherton and Firefighter Jerry Lucey, entered the building searching for occupants. Fire conditions worsened in the building at a rapid and unexpected rate. FF’s Brotherton and Lucey, on the fifth floor, became disoriented in the smoke-filled building. Lost, and running low on air, they called for help. Several crews began searching for the lost Firefighters. Two crews reaching the fifth floor also found themselves disoriented in the smoke and trapped by the maze of interior walls: Lieutenant Tom Spencer and Firefighter Tim Jackson from Ladder 2, and Firefighter Jay Lyons and Firefighter Joe McGuirk from Engine 3 were now trapped. Though many more highly heroic Worcester Firefighters attempted to locate their missing brothers, their efforts proved futile.
Be sure to read the link below, entitled "A Chiefs Perspective" about WFD District (Ret) Chief Mike McNamee, who made the beyond difficult decision to end search operations for the missing members-and saved more lives by doing so.
The Line of Duty Deaths of Worcester Firefighters Paul A. Brotherton, Timothy P. Jackson, Jeremiah M. Lucey, James F. “Jay” Lyons III, Joseph T. McGuirk, and Lt. Thomas E. Spencer devastated Worcester, the Fire service, the nation and the world. Their Line of Duty deaths marked the worst loss of Firefighters’ lives in more than 20 years in a building fire in America, and the third worst fire in Massachusetts’ history. R.I.P.
WORCESTER REPORTS & LINKS:
HERE is the USFA report as well as the "must read" Esquire Magazine/Sean Flynn article:
http://www.esquire.com/features/perfect-fire-0700?click=main_sr (Esquire Magazine)
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr-134.pdf (USFA Report on the fire)
HERE are links that we hope will be of value and interest to you and YOUR members:
Excellent Collection of Stories, Photos, Audio: http://www.telegram.com/static/fire/
A Chiefs Perspective: http://www.telegram.com/article/20091129/NEWS/911290432/1052
X Marks The Spot: http://www.telegram.com/article/20091130/NEWS/911300384/0/news06
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/tomcarmody/wor
Photos: http://www.capecodfd.com/PAGES%20Special/Worc1.htm
WFD Sites: http://www.iaff1009.org/index.cfm http://www.ci.worcester.ma.us/fire
===KEOKUK, IOWA-THE LOSS OF 3 FIREFIGHTERS-AND 3 CHILDREN IN A DUPLEX FIRE
At 0824 Hours on Wednesday, December 22, 1999, a fire was reported in a multifamily dwelling in Keokuk, Iowa. Several neighbors phoned the Keokuk 911 center to report smoke coming from a residence, and that a woman was outside screaming that there were children trapped inside.
Assistant Fire Chief Dave McNally, 48, Firefighter Jason Bitting, 29, and Firefighter Nate Tuck, 39 were killed while attempting the rescue of 3 trapped kids in that fire-who also perished. The 3 Firefighters left 8 kids of their own behind. The Firefighters died when a flashover occurred while the 3 were doing their search. The fire started in the kitchen of an old wooden two-story b/f home that had been converted into apartments. Staffing is a major issue in Keokuk, and that morning, 4 of the 5 total (+ the Chief) on duty firefighters arrived on scene with heavy smoke showing, and upon hearing the mother screaming that her children were trapped inside, they immediately and understandably went in after them.When "Mom" screams that her kids are inside-we go in.
The 3 were inside, (the Asst Chief and 2 FF/pump operators) a Lt. was on the hydrant-couldn’t see the building and one Firefighter was on side "A"… starting to pack up, to back the interior members up. The Chief made the terribly difficult decision to leave the scene for 3 minutes to personally transport a non-breathing rescued child–there were no other resources available… none. The hospital was a minute away. When he returned, the flashover had already occurred with only the Lt. and the one Firefighter left outside. A/C Dave McNally, FF Jason Bitting, and FF Nate Tuck perished in that duplex. R.I.P.
There are several excellent reports out on the fire:
HERE is the NIOSH report: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200004.html
HERE is the NFPA report: http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/Keokuk.PDF
KFD Link: http://www.cityofkeokuk.org/kfd.html
One of the best quotes I have ever heard came from KFD’s Chief Mark Wessell. Mark, who retired this year, is a good friend who has shown true leadership in taking the KFD forward-I don’t know anyone who doesn’t agree with that. Since that fire, Mark and I have become pretty close and I am continually in awe over how he has made it clear that his FD will (and has) change. Mark makes it clear that as horrible as this was-he did whatever he had to, to make sure it never happens again. To all of us, he made a statement that sums it up… "Always remember that we as firefighters are there to help people with a problem, while also doing ALL that we can to never become PART of that problem"
The above information-and plenty from many other resources and websites as well-provides each of us with an opportunity to share:
-so younger Firefighters understand our history.
-so we all are reminded of the losses.
-so we learn from the lessons learned.
-and so we can honor the WFD and KFD members who gave their lives in the Line of Duty.
