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Remembering 5 Buffalo Firefighters Killed 27 Years Ago Today
• Michael Austin
• Michael Catanzaro
• Matthew Colpoys
• Jimmy Lickfeld
• Anthony Waskielewicz
The Incident
The incident occurred at the site of a four-story warehouse (Type 3 ordinary and Type 4 heavy timber construction) at the intersection of North Division and Grosvenor streets in Buffalo. An employee was moving a 500-lb. propane tank with a forklift truck and dropped it, breaking off a valve. The propane gas started to leak, eventually reaching an open flame.
Three engines, two trucks, a rescue and a third battalion responded to the scene. Engine 32 arrived and reported nothing showing. Truck 5, Engine 1 and BC Supple arrived right behind E-32.
Approximately 37 seconds after the chief announced his arrival, the tank exploded, instantly killing the five firefighters assigned to Ladder 5 as well as two civilians. The explosion injured approximately 60 other people, damaged a dozen city blocks and caused millions of dollars of damage in fire equipment. The force of the blast blew BFD Ladder 5’s tiller aerial 35 feet across the street into the front yard of a dwelling. BFD Engine 1’s pumper was also blown across the street with the captain and driver pinned in the cab. Engine 32’s engine was blown up against a warehouse across a side street and covered with rubble.
Memorial
A memorial to the five members of Buffalo Fire Department Ladder Co. 5 and the two civilians who were killed sits at fire call box 191 at the intersection of N. Division and Grosvenor streets. Each year on Dec. 27, at 2020 HRS, the fire department rings out the alarm 1-9-1 to honor the five firefighters of Ladder 5.
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Add a Comment
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Comment by Edward Roble on January 3, 2011 at 1:30am
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I remember hearing of this disaster when it occurred. I was a relatively new FF at the time with less then 2 years. It is tragic when we lose even one of our brothers/sisters; worse so many at once. At least from this and other incidents we have learned the value of Pre-planning and learning what hazards are in our businesses before responding to an emergency so we can try a safer aproach. God Bless you All.
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Comment by Tiger Schmittendorf on December 30, 2010 at 1:44pm
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Thanks for the audio Don -
I had never heard it before. I'll be adding an update to my blog with comments from a gentleman who is now a dispatcher in Florida, but who worked in Buffalo at the time of the explosion and went to the scene with others.
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I'm ashamed to say that I had never visited the memorial site until last night but I'm glad I did. I plan to go back every year for the remembrance ceremony.
Here's the article I wrote about it at www.tigerschmittendorf.com:
http://tigerschmittendorf.com/2010/12/28/a-december-to-forget/
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Comment by Timothy AUSTIN on December 28, 2010 at 10:09am
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its that time of year again and I just wanted to express a personal thanks to all Firefighters, first responders and anybody who routinely risks their life in the performance of their job duties. your service is appreciated
Thanks everyone
Tim Austin (brother of the late Firefighter Michael Austin ladder 5 1983)
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Comment by Buffalo & Erie County Incidents on December 27, 2010 at 9:03am
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Here is a download link for the original Dispatch in MP3 format of Box 1-9-1
http://www.4shared.com/audio/rTCPenqk/Box_191.html
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