The 23rd. Street Fire, October 17, 1966.
October 21,1966 Saint Patick’s Cathedral
The 23 street Collapse October 17,1966 Box 55 598 Killed in the line of duty
DC Thomas A Reilly, Division .3
BC Walter J Higgins, Battalion. 7
Lt John J Finley, Ladder 7
Lt Joseph Priore, Engine 18
Fr John G Berry, Ladder 7
Fr James V Galanaugh, Engine 18
Fr Rudolph F Kaminsky, Ladder 7
Fr Joseph Kelly, Engine 18
Fr Carl Lee Ladder, 7
Fr William F McCarron, Division 3
Fr Daniel L Rey, Engine 18
Fr Bernard A Tepper, Engine 18
Box 598 at 2136 hrs: The most deadly building collapse in the history of the Fire Department occurred at this alarm. Twelve firefighters were killed when the floor collapsed into the cellar. Two chiefs, two lieutenants, and six firefighters plunged into the flaming cellar. Two firefighters were killed by the blast of flame and heat on the first floor.
Location of Fire Origin: Cellar of 7 East 22 St.
Location of Collapse: First floor of Exposure 3 building: 6 East 23 St. “The Wonder Drug Store.”
Fire Building Construction: 7 East 22 St: a brownstone, 20 x 60 brick and joist, four story residence. The cellar, where the fire started, and first floor were occupied by an art dealer.
Collapse Building Construction: 6 East 23 St: a five story, 45 x 100 commercial building, brick & joist construction. The rear, 16 x 35 foot, section of the first floor collapsed into the cellar occupied by 7 East 22 St.
Alterations:
(1) The fire building, 7 East 22 St, had a two story extension which abutted the rear of 6 East 23 St.
(2) The Cellar of 7 East 22 St extended under the first floor of 6 East 23 St for approximately 35 feet.
(3) The floor construction of 6 East 23 St was 3″ x 14″ wood beams topped by 3/4″ wood planking. On top of this five inches of concrete with a terrazzo finish was added.
The firefighters in exposure 3, (6 East 23 St), killed in the collapse did not know they were operating directly over the cellar fire in 7 East 22 St. The five inch concrete terrazzo floor acted as an insulator. It concealed the severe fire and heat below. The 3 inch x 14 inch floor beams spaced 16 inches on center were reduced in size and strength by the fire. The first sign of weakness was the sudden collapse of a 15 x 35 foot section, which plunged the ten firefighters to their deaths. Two other firefighters were killed on the first floor by a ball of flame.
Cause of the Fire: Unknown.
Cause of the Collapse: The fire burned for one hour, which reduced the size and strength of the wood floor beams.
Fuel of Fire: Large storage of wood picture frames and their combustible finish, lacquer and paint.
Time of Collapse: The collapse occurred at approximately 2239 hrs, one hour and three minutes after the initial alarm of 2136 hrs.
Summary by: Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief, FDNY, Division 3 (Ret)
For further reading:
W N Y F, 2ND Issue 1973: Page 13 Article by Joseph D’Albert, Eng. 24.
W N Y F, 4th Issue 1976: ‘THE 23rd ST FIRE… as it happened’ by Frank
Cull.THE SIXTH BATTALION OFFICIAL REPORT: BOARD OF INQUIRY
FDNY Commemorates the 42nd Anniversary of the 23rd Street Fire
Firefighters, FDNY families and other members of the Department joined on October 17 for a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the 23rd Street fire.
The five-alarm fire on October 17, 1966, began in the Wonder Drug Store on the corner of 23rd Street and Broadway. It took the lives of 12 members, representing the single worst loss of New York City firefighters in the line of duty prior to September 11, 2001.
“We want to make certain that the memories of these 12 men are never forgotten,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.
Twelve members of every rank, from a probationary firefighter to a deputy chief, made the Supreme Sacrifice when the ground floor of the store collapsed. The fire originated in a storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinderblock wall illegally constructed by the building’s previous owner.
Those killed in the fire included Deputy Chief Thomas A. Reilly and Firefighter William F. McCarron, both of Division 3; Battalion Chief Walter J. Higgins of Battalion 7; Lieutenant Joseph Priore, Firefighter James V. Galanaugh, Firefighter Joseph Kelly, Firefighter Daniel L. Rey and Firefighter Bernard A. Tepper, all of Engine Company 18; and Lieutenant John J. Finley, Firefighter John G. Berry, Firefighter Rudolph F. Kaminsky and Firefighter Carl Lee, all of Ladder Company 7.
“These men did their job that night and they did it well,” said retired Captain Manuel Fernandez, who operated at the tragic fire when he was a firefighter at Engine 18. “We will always remember them and their families for the sacrifice they made. This is the greatest job in the world and we have wonderful men and women in this Department.”
Several other retired members who responded to the fire or worked with those who died attended the ceremony. They stood alongside dozens of active members as the 12 names were read and the wreath was placed beside the memorial plaque.
Among the members at the ceremony was Firefighter Brian Finley of Ladder 7. His grandfather was killed in the 23rd Street fire nearly seven years before he was born, but said he has been told by many that he was a “tough, but fair, lieutenant.”
He said he was honored that so many of his fellow firefighters took part in the ceremony.
“None of these [active members] knew the firefighters who died, but they are here to honor their memory. That’s what the Department is all about.”