Two separate fires in New York City, the first in the Bronx and the second in Brooklyn, have claimed three firefighters today.
The loss of the three firefighters is the most for the department since Sept. 11, 2001, when 343 members were killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.
Since then, 41-year-old James J. O'Shea died of a heart attack after battling a blaze in Queens on Sept. 27, 2003, and 30-year-old Thomas Brick was killed while battling a fire at a Manhattan warehouse on Dec. 16, 2003.
Three firefighters were killed Father's Day 2001 when a five-alarm fire set off an explosion in the basement of a Queens hardware store.
Photographer Steve Spak had the following text on his website this evening. I believe it is the actual announcement that the FDNY dispatchers read over the department radio channels today. If it is not the actual message, it is very close to what would be read.
A Signal 5-5-5-5 was tranmitted at 1636 hours, on Sunday, January 23, 2005. It is with deep regret that the department announces the death of Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran of Battalion 26 which occurred on January 23, 2005 as a result of injuries sustained on Sunday, January 23, 2005 at Bronx third alarm box 2997 (66-33-2997) transmitted at 0758 hours, Sunday, January 23, 2005.A 2nd Signal 5-5-5-5 was tranmitted at 1652 hours, On Sunday, January 23, 2005. It is with regret that the department announces the death of Firefighter John Bellew of Ladder 27 which occurred on January 23, 2005 as a result of injuries sustained on Sunday, January 23, 2005 at Bronx third alarm box 2997 (66-33-2997) transmitted at 0758 hours, Sunday, January 23, 2005. May they rest in peace and God bless their families and friends.
A 3rd Signal 5-5-5-5 was transmitted on Sunday January 23, 2005. It is with deep regret, the FDNY announced the death of FF Richard T. Steffani of Ladder Company 103 as the result of injuries sustained while operating a Brooklyn Box 22-1770 transmitted at 1336 hours today. May he rest in peace.
Additional reading from NYC's ABC affiliate.
Posted by JRC at January 23, 2005 08:41 PM | TrackBack