Industrial Firefighter Fatalities: Firefighter fatalities for industrial fire departments, fire brigades, and emergency response teams. Data is from the United States Fire Administration (USFA), the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), and state memorial information. Where available, links to NIOSH and OSHA investigation reports have been provided.
Two unusual circumstances: Three deaths on 9/11 are classified by the USFA as “industrial.” These were three retired FDNY firefighters who were working in the towers that day as Fire Safety Directors. Firefighter Chris Good is included here because he was a full-time industrial firefighter. His death is attributed to his volunteer department due to attending a recent house fire.
If you have additional details or you know of an industrial firefighter death that has not been represented here, please share the details: Contact
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| 1 | International Paper Company | South Carolina | https://weekend.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/roger-b-casselman/ | Roger Casselman, 29, of Andrews, died fighting a fire Saturday in Georgetown County. Casselman was a fireman employed by the International Paper Co., which owns several thousand acres of coastal area woodland. | https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/03/17/Southern-states-report-worst-wildfires-on-record/2185353653200/ | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Jan 1, 1983 (NYSFM) | General Electric Fire Department (Schenectady Works) | New York | https://firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/william-n-hammond/ | |||||||||||||
| 3 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/kenneth-e-armour/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 4 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/lothar-s-cogar/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 5 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/katherine-a-hughes/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | Obituary and Additional Information | |||||||
| 6 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/perry-e-parker/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 7 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/robert-f-pleski/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 8 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/charles-r-staggs/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 9 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/barney-o-staggs/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 10 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/belle-c-sullivan-weiss/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 11 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/christopher-i-watkins/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 12 | Contact/Exposure | Burns | Yes | Union Oil Fire Department | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/dale-a-whitmarsh/ | https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1986-04-11 | In 1984, the Union Oil Company refinery in Romeoville, Illinois, employed more than 700 workers and processed 151,000 barrels of oil a day. Around 6 PM on July 23, 1984, a refinery worker noticed vapors escaping from a hairline crack in a high-pressure, 55-foot tower filled with gas. The worker tried to shut down the tank, but before the pressure could be redirected a spark from an unknown source ignited the vapors. The ensuing explosion launched the 34-ton tank more than 3,400 feet and engulfed much of the refinery in flames. Firefighters from the Union Oil Fire Brigade responded immediately with the company’s two engines, followed closely by the Romeoville Fire Department. In fact, Union Oil did not need to alert the city fire department as firefighters had felt the blast at the fire station. As a result of the explosion, many towers, tanks, and other refinery structures began to rupture or collapse and the site’s fire hydrant system was damaged. Forced to draft water from a nearby sanitary canal, firefighters were just beginning to attack the flames when a tank containing liquefied petroleum gas erupted. The explosion created a huge fireball that rose thousands of feet into the air and sent many emergency responders running, but several members of the Union Oil Fire Brigade were caught in the blast. Later reports stated that the explosion was felt fifteen miles away and an airplane carrying two Romeoville police officers 1,500 feet over the city at the time was hit with debris from the blast. “It was like Hiroshima,” Lieut. Ed Smith of the Romeoville Fire Department said of the blast. “Everyone I talked to after the second explosion thought they were dead, and I was among them.” The enormity of the fire brought mutual aid fire apparatus and ambulances from more than 30 cities, including two medical evacuation helicopters from the University of Chicago Hospital and a Chicago Fire Department fireboat sent via the sanitary canal. An AMOCO refinery in Indiana even sent truckloads of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to help extinguish the fire. The assistance was welcomed, as firefighters were needed to both put out the flames and also prevent more refinery structures from catching fire. R.F.D. Chief A.F. Stadelmaier later stated, “Our concern was to keep the rest of the plant cool.” Once the burning structures were isolated, fire officials determined that allowing the fires to burn out on their own was the safest way to extinguish the blaze. The fires burned throughout the night, luckily without further explosions or loss of life. Seventeen employees of the Union Oil Company were killed during the fire, including ten members of the fire brigade. Coroners had to rely on dental records to identify some of the victims. Damage estimates placed the cost of the fire as high as $500 million and, in terms of damage to property and loss of life, it still ranks as one of the worst refinery fires in U.S. history. Moreover, the only other Illinois fires that resulted in more firefighter deaths are the 1910 Union Stockyards Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Fire. Summary written by Adam Groves. | https://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=416856&p=2842777 | ||||||||
| 13 | Exposure | Smoke Inhalation | Yes | International Paper Company | South Carolina | https://weekend.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/rayford-d-coston/ | Rayford Coston died while fighting a major forest fire in or near Hampstead NC. He died of smoke inhalation. He worked for International Paper Company at the time. He is survived by his wife Iris Coston, 4 step children William Davis, Caroly and Ann Foy, Gale Morton and Sandra Smith as well as 1 brother Tedford Coston and 3 sisters Velva Lou Davis, Ione Hoffman of Florida and Billie Pierce. | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/168613746/rayford_donald-coston | |||||||||
| 14 | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | E.I. DuPont Fire Brigade | Texas | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/lannie-e-hatton/ | TOLEDO – Services for Lannie Hatton, 46, of Victoria, Texas, formerly of Toledo, will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at Henderson-Overton Funeral Home, Toledo; burial in Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo; he died of an apparent heart attack Monday (July 31) at College Station, Texas; survivors include his wife, Patricia; a son, Brett of Victoria; his mother, Helen Hatton of Toledo; and two brothers, LaMoine and Rene, both of Long Prairie, Minn.; he was preceded in death by his father, Merle; friends may call after 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home; Mr. Hatton was a fireman for DuPont Corp. in College Station. | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210445480/lannie_eugene-hatton | |||||||||||
| 15 | Exposure | Asphyxiation | Rescue | Yes | Ravenswood Aluminum Co. Security and Fire Protection District | West Virginia | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/peter-baltic/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=2731 | Peter Baltic was a member of the fire brigade at Ravenswood Aluminum Company Security & Fire Protection. Peter was working on Father’s Day‚ June 17‚ 1990 when a worker was overcome by carbon monoxide. Peter attempted a rescue and died while attempting to save his fellow worker. | User entry on findagrave.com: Pete was a good friend of our family. In June of 1990 a Halon fire suppression system was activated in the basement of a building at the (then) Ravenswood Aluminum Company. Pete’s partner on the fire squad, Curtis McClain, had collapsed from the lack of oxygen in the room. (Halon suppresses oxygen in order to put out fires). Pete removed his own mask to place on his partner in an attempt to revive him. Unfortunately, they both lost their lives. | |||||||
| 16 | Exposure | Asphyxiation | Other/Other On-Duty | No | Ravenswood Aluminum Co. Security and Fire Protection District | West Virginia | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/curtis-mcclain/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=2733 | Curtis McClain was a member of the fire brigade at Ravenswood Aluminum Company Security & Fire Protection. Curtis was working on Father’s Day‚ June 17‚ 1990 when he was overcome by lack of oxygen and Halon discharge. His cause of death was due to the Halon discharge. His partner, Peter Baltic attempted a rescue and also died while attempting to save his fellow worker. | Obituary shared by West Virginia Jackson County Historical Society: Information: Curtis M. McClain, 43, of Ravenswood, died Sunday from injuries sustained in an accident at Ravenswood Aluminum Corporation. He was born in Gay, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester McClain of Ripley. He was a member of the Cottageville Masonic Lodge, 13-year employee of Ravenswood Aluminum, and a 20-year member of the Army Reserve. He is survived by his wife, Judy McClain; two sons, Eric and Kevin McClain, both at home; one daughter, April Poff of Fort Valley, Va.; one brother, Charles McClain of Gay. Services will be 1 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Vail Funeral Home, Ripley, with the Rev. James Pinkerton officiating. Burial will be in the Ravenswood Cemetery. | |||||||
| 17 | Death: 12/1/1990 | Collapse during fire investigation | Other | Other/Other On-Duty | No | Alcan Rolled Product Company Fire Brigade | New York | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/william-f-carter-sr/ | http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=2682 | USFA: Collapsed after investigating extinguished fire. NFFF: On Friday evening‚ November 30‚ 1990‚ William F. Carter‚ Sr. was investigating an extinguished fire that had occurred beneath an aluminum rolling machine when he collapsed for unknown reasons. He was transported to a local medical facility where he succumbed to an undetermined cause on Saturday December 1‚ 1990. | |||||||
| 18 | Exposure | Asphyxiation | Search and Rescue, Suppression/On-Scene Fire | Yes | Barrick Goldstrike Mine Fire Brigade | Nevada | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/stanley-m-rhoads/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=639 | On April 15, Stanley Rhoads, a member of the Barrick Goldstrike Mine Emergency Response Team, was on his way to work when a fire broke out in a gold refinery building. After arrivin g, he was witnessed putting on his personal protective clothing and SCBA. Two hours later, members of a volunteer fire department that had responded to the fire found his body inside the fire building. He had apparently entered the structure independently and ran out of air inside the refinery. Commanders did not know he was on the fire scene until his body was removed. The initial fire attack was described as “hectic” to the Nevada State Fire Marshal that investigated the report. His death was attributed to smoke inhalation. | ||||||||
| 19 | Exposure | Asphyxiation | Rescue/On-Scene | Yes | Reynolds Aluminum Plant Fire Brigade | Illinois | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/john-haviar/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=250 | Firefighter John Haviar, an industrial fire brigade member at a Reynolds Aluminum plant, was killed when he entered an oxygen-deficient atmosphere in an excavation pit without breathing apparatus to attempt the rescue of three workers. Argon gas had been accidentally pumped into the pit, displacing the oxygen and trapping the workers. Firefighter Haviar was overcome and was killed along with two of the workers. | ||||||||
| 20 | Stress/Overexertion | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | Physical Agility Training | No | Rural Metro Fire Department at Bethlehem Steel | Indiana | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/robert-m-samanas/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=762 | Firefighter/Paramedic Samanas had completed his yearly physical agility test and stopped to take a break. About 40 minutes after completing the test, he returned to assist other firefighters with the test. He soon became short of breath. He was placed on oxygen, started feeling better, and then began to experience chest pain. ALS cardiac procedures were started; however, he collapsed before a monitor defibrillator could be attached. Firefighter/Paramedic Samanas was transported to a local hospital where he later died. He served with the Porter Volunteer Fire Department for eight years and Porter County Ambulance Service for ten years. | ||||||||
| 21 | Collapse | Trauma | Search and Rescue/On-Scene Fire | Yes | World Trade Center / FDNY (ret.) | New York | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/philip-t-hayes/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=1235 | Classified “industrial” by USFA: On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City.The first attack came at 8:48 a.m. when a hijacked airliner crashed into the North Tower. Numerous FDNY units witnessed the attack and a third alarm assignment was immediately dispatched. Upon their arrival at the incident scene, the focus of the firefighters’ efforts was the rescue of civilians trapped in the burning tower. At 9:02 a.m., a second hijacked airliner struck the South Tower. Firefighters immediately began to climb to the upper floors of the second tower to evacuate trapped civilians. At 9:50 a.m., the South Tower collapsed, killing scores of firefighters. The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m., killing many more.341 FDNY firefighters were killed, from the Chief of Department to probationary firefighters with less than a month on the job. | Philip T. Hayes – Loving‚ kind compassionate‚ heroic. Just a few of the words that could describe him. Always happy‚ always giving of himself. A devoted husband‚ father‚ grandfather‚ father-in-law. Loved by many and admired by all who knew him. He enjoyed his family and spending as much time as he could with them. He lived his life to the fullest and was an inspiration to all. A true hero- a fireman forever in his heart. Rest in peace until we are all together again. Virginia Hayes | |||||||
| 22 | Collapse | Trauma | Search and Rescue/On-Scene Fire | Yes | World Trade Center / FDNY (ret.) | New York | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/william-wren/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=1236 | Classified “industrial” by USFA: William Wren‚ 61‚ FDNY‚ WTC. A retired member of the FDNY‚ Wren was the World Trade Center’s fire safety director. He served in the U. S. Army for three years before joining the FDNY. The father of two sons‚ he retired after a quarter century with the department and began his fire safety job at the World Trade Center. | On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City.The first attack came at 8:48 a.m. when a hijacked airliner crashed into the North Tower. Numerous FDNY units witnessed the attack and a third alarm assignment was immediately dispatched. Upon their arrival at the incident scene, the focus of the firefighters’ efforts was the rescue of civilians trapped in the burning tower. At 9:02 a.m., a second hijacked airliner struck the South Tower. Firefighters immediately began to climb to the upper floors of the second tower to evacuate trapped civilians. At 9:50 a.m., the South Tower collapsed, killing scores of firefighters. The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m., killing many more.341 FDNY firefighters were killed, from the Chief of Department to probationary firefighters with less than a month on the job. | |||||||
| 23 | Collapse | Trauma | Search and Rescue/On-Scene Fire | Yes | World Trade Center / FDNY (ret.) | New York | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/james-j-corrigan/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=1234 | Classified “industrial” by USFA: James J. Corrigan‚ 60‚ FDNY‚ WTC. A retired fire captain‚ Corrigan was director of the life service for the management of the World Trade Center. He was not in his office in the North Tower when the first plane hit but was last seen assisting with rescue operations in the lobby of Tower One. Corrigan spent 23 years with the FDNY after serving as a police officer for six years. | On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City.The first attack came at 8:48 a.m. when a hijacked airliner crashed into the North Tower. Numerous FDNY units witnessed the attack and a third alarm assignment was immediately dispatched. Upon their arrival at the incident scene, the focus of the firefighters’ efforts was the rescue of civilians trapped in the burning tower. At 9:02 a.m., a second hijacked airliner struck the South Tower. Firefighters immediately began to climb to the upper floors of the second tower to evacuate trapped civilians. At 9:50 a.m., the South Tower collapsed, killing scores of firefighters. The North Tower collapsed at 10:28 a.m., killing many more.341 FDNY firefighters were killed, from the Chief of Department to probationary firefighters with less than a month on the job. | |||||||
| 24 | Stress/Overexertion | Cerebrovascular Accident | Other/Training | No | Valero Refinery Fire Brigade | Texas | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/david-l-moore-ii/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=3269 | https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/163672 | Assistant Chief Moore was serving as a guest instructor at the Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station, Texas. Assistant Chief Moore was assisting with live-fire training exercises.During rehab, Assistant Chief Moore complained of dizziness and collapsed. Other firefighters began medical care and an ambulance was called. The ambulance arrived 3 minutes after Assistant Chief Moore’s collapse and began ALS-level care.Assistant Chief Moore was transported to the hospital but was not revived. The cause of death was listed as “brain death secondary to brain aneurysm.” | |||||||
| 25 | Stress/Overexertion | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | Water Supply / On-Scene, Non-Fire | Yes | Dow Corning Fire Department | Carrollton, Kentucky | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/jerry-w-stucker/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=3483 | Firefighter Stucker responded to a hazardous materials emergency. He was attaching a hose line to a fire hydrant when he suffered a fatal heart attack. | The family has asked that any memorials be made to the volunteer fire department where Jerry served for more than 27 years: Clifty Six Volunteer Fire Co., 631 Clifty Dr., Madison, IN 47250. https://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9560/ | |||||||
| 26 | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | Operated at a structure fire the previous day | Yes | Good Will Fire Company (Arcelor Mittal Steel Fire Department) | Pennsylvania | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/chris-goody-good/?nocache=1735043570 | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=4067 | Christopher “Goody” Good, 36, died Nov. 21 from an apparent cardiac arrest less than 24 hours after battling a house fire in West Goshen. His death was ruled a line-of-duty death due to its proximity to the fire. https://www.firstwestchester.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=77 | Good was employed as a career firefighter with Arcelor Mittal Steel Fire Department. Firefighter Close Calls reports that Good’s wife found him in cardiac arrest. CPR was administered and EMS personnel responded, but were unable to review him. https://www.firerescue1.com/health/articles/36-year-old-capt-dies-of-apparent-heart-attack-3flzpQXL7f8zPA4G/ | ||||||||
| 27 | Stress/Overexertion | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | Search and Rescue/Training | No | PPL Susquehanna LLC | Pennsylvania | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/michael-martin/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=4071 | https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=756321.015 | Firefighter Martin was training at a local community college facility to become a part of his facility fire brigade. As he participated in an SCBA exercise, he felt ill and collapsed. The class instructor started CPR and called for assistance. Firefighter Martin was transported to the hospital but did not survive the heart attack. Incident Location: 1333 S Prospect ST, Nanticoke, PA 18634 (USNG: 18T VL 1650 6051) | |||||||
| 28 | Stress/Overexertion | Cardiovascular Event/Heart Attack | Support/On-Scene, Non-Fire | Yes | Lockheed Martin Fire Department | Marietta, Georgia | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/christ-k-swan/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=4250 | Firefighter Swan and the members of his fire department responded to an activated fire alarm in a building. While on-scene, Firefighter Swan suffered shortness of breath and went into cardiac arrest. Other firefighters treated Firefighter Swan and he was transported to a hospital. His death was caused by a heart attack. Incident Location: 86 South Cobb Drive, Building B-3, Marietta, GA 30063 (USNG: 16S GC 27 57) | ||||||||
| 29 | Exposure | Asphyxiation | Other/Other On-Duty | No | Timken Fire & Security | Canton, Ohio | https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/kenny-ray-jr/ | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/details?id=4495 | https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=83792.015 | Firefighter Ray was on-duty and conducting fire equipment checks in an elevator control motor room at the Faircrest Steel Plant. The air in the room had been displaced with nitrogen gas. Firefighter Ray was overcome and was later found deceased. OSHA fined TimkenSteel for several violations including a failure to adequately train workers using pneumatic tools powered by nitrogen on safety related to the use of these tools. Firefighter Ray died of asphyxiation. Incident Location: 4511 Faircrest AVE, SW, Canton, OH 44706 (U.S. National Grid: 17T MF 6297 1143) |
Citation: Zielinski, A. (2026). Industrial Firefighter Line-of-Duty Deaths – United States (2026 Dataset) (1.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18626449