30th anniversary of the Walbaum’s fire, which occurred on August 2, 1978.

Six FDNY firefighters died when the roof of a burning Brooklyn supermarket collapsed, plunging 12 firefighters into the flames. The fire began in a hallway near the compressor room as crews were renovating the store, and quickly escalated to a fourth-alarm. Less than an hour after the fire was first reported, nearly 20 firefighters were on the roof when the central portion gave way. Thirty-four firefighters, one emergency medical technician and one Emergency Services police officer were injured in the fire and the tragedy is remembered as one of the worst disasters in the New York City Fire Department’s 143-year history.

The FDNY members killed in the Walbaum’s fire included:
• Lt. James E. Cutillo, Battalion 33;
• Firefighter Charles S. Bouton, Ladder Company 156;
• Firefighter Harold F. Hastings, Battalion 42;
• Firefighter James P. McManus, Ladder Company 153;
• Firefighter William O’Connor, Ladder Company 156; and
• Firefighter George S. Rice, Ladder Company 153.

Two factors contributed to the collapse of this bowstring arch truss, a double roof (rain roof) alteration and the extent and severity of the fire.

This roof collapsed 32 minutes after the initial units arrived.

Do you have any Timber Truss systems in your district or in a nearby district you respond to?
Do you know about the method of construction of Bowstring truss roofs?
Do you know the right stratgy and tactics for fires in these types of occupancies?
If you don't have the right answere to these questions, then you need to become more knowledgable and trained....