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Live coverage of funeral for Battalion Chief Michael Goodwin, Philadelphia Fire Department.
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Michael R. Goodwin, Sr.,Captain, Philadelphia Fire Department, Badge # 2773, passed away tragically serving the citizens of Philadelphia on April 6, 2013.Beloved husband of Kelly (nee McDonnell). Loving Dad of Dorothy Dunn (Timothy) and Michael R., Jr. Loving Pop of Timothy Jr. and Bailey Dunn. Dear son of Elizabeth and the late James Goodwin, brother of James (Kelly), Robert (Brenda) and Deborah Goodwin, brother in law of Thomas McDonnell (Joann). Also Surviving are many nieces and nephews. Mike was a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department for over 29 years. He became a firefighter on September 9, 1983, Class # 153. Mike proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an E-4 and was honorably discharged on August 27, 1983. Mike was awarded many commendations while serving the citizens of Philadelphia. He was a Philadelphia Sports fan but the most important aspect of Michael’s life was his family. Relatives, friends, members of Philadelphia Fire Department Local 22 and all first responders are invited to share in Mike’s Life Celebration Wednesday from 5:00- 9:00 PM and Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:45 AM at John F. Givnish of Academy Rd. 10975 Academy Rd. Michael’s Life Celebration Service will be held at 12:00 Noon at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 2139 E. Cumberland St. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mike’s memory to the Firefighters Widow Fund c/o Local 22, 415 N. 5th St. Phila, PA 19123 would be appreciated. To share your fondest memories of Mike visit www.lifecelebration.com.
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AP:
The mayor of Philadelphia on Sunday ordered flags flown at half-staff and called for prayers for the family and colleagues of a veteran fire captain killed when a roof collapsed beneath him as he battled a blaze, the third city firefighter killed in the line of duty in a year.
Capt. Michael Goodwin, 53, plunged onto the second-floor roof of the three-story building in the Fabric Row section during Saturday night’s blaze. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Fellow firefighter Andrew Godlewski, 28, burned on his hands while trying to rescue Goodwin, was discharged Sunday from a hospital, officials said.
“We must never forget the grave risks that these heroic public servants take every day at a moment’s notice on behalf of us all,” Mayor Michael Nutter said in a statement Sunday.
At an emotional news conference late Saturday, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers called Goodwin, a 29-year veteran, “a really good person.”
“He was the kind of guy who looked out for his folks,” he said. “A ladder man. A firefighter’s firefighter.”
Goodwin is survived by a wife, two grown children and three siblings, one of whom is a police officer, he said.
Police officers and fellow firefighters saluted Goodwin’s body, draped in an American flag, as it was carried to a hospital and, later, to a funeral home.
The loss came as the fire department prepared to mark a year since an April 9 blaze at a warehouse that killed Capt. Robert Neary, 59, and Daniel Sweeney, 25. They also died in a collapse, which came as they inspected an adjacent building.
“We have a department that is wounded,” Ayers said. “We have scars that are fresh, and indeed they have now been reopened.”
Nutter ordered flags flown at half-staff at all city buildings for the next 30 days in Goodwin’s honor, officials said.
At Goodwin’s fire station deep in south Philadelphia, bouquets were clustered on and around a wooden bench along with a large toy fire truck and ladder.
The American Red Cross of southeastern Pennsylvania said 17 residents were displaced by the blaze, and three of them needed financial help with hotels, food and clothing.
At the scene Sunday afternoon, a fire hose planted in the middle of the street sprayed a jet of water onto the remains of the building, which had collapsed into a pile that stretched over the sidewalk in between two other three-story row homes. Meals and counseling were being provided for grieving firefighters, the Red Cross said.
The blaze appeared to have started in a fabric store downstairs before spreading to upstairs apartments and a neighboring boutique, the store’s owner said. The proprietors of both stores told The Philadelphia Inquirer that everyone in both buildings at the time of the fire managed to escape.
The fire’s cause wasn’t immediately known, but Bruce Blumenthal, the owner of Jack B. Fabrics, said he believes it started in a wall and may have been electrical in nature. Blumenthal said he smelled smoke coming from the basement at around 5 p.m. and found a box of collars and cuffs on fire. He tried to put the flames out with an extinguisher to no avail, he said.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
UPDATED: Philadephia Fire Department Capt. Michael Goodwin, Ladder 27, killed in collapse at fabric shop. Firefighter Andrew Godlewski burned trying to save captain. Watch press conference.
9 commentsPhiladelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29
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Watch live report from scene
Philadelphia Fire Department
IAFF Local 22 (Facebook page)
A fire burned a fabric shop, upstairs apartments and a neighboring boutique Saturday evening, causing a partial roof collapse that killed a firefighter and injured a colleague who was trying to rescue him, officials said.
Captain Michael Goodwin, 53, was killed in the line of duty, Amy Daly, a nursing supervisor at Jefferson University Hospitals, told The Associated Press. Goodwin was a 29-year veteran of the fire department. Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says he was killed in a fall from the third floor roof to the second.
The second firefighter, Andrew Godlinski, 28, of Ladder 2, was hospitalized with burns. Officials say he was injured while trying to rescue Captain Goodwin. He is expected to survive.
Officials say Captain Goodwin belonged to Ladder 27. His comrades saluted as his body was carried out and taken to the hospital.
Firefighters stood side by side and saluted 53-year-old Captain Michael Goodwin from Ladder 27b. He was killed in a fall from the third floor roof to the second.
The fire roared out of control for hours from the three story building on the stretch known as “Fabric Row.”
Neighbors say the fire started in the basement of a business called Jack B Fabrics and spread to other parts of the business and apartments upstairs.
Another firefighter 28-year-old Andrew Godlinski, suffered burns while trying to save his fallen captain. He was treated at a local hospital and is expected to survive.
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
Engine-11 arrived on scene with smoke showing from the first floor of three story store front with apartments above. B/C-4 reported companies had trouble located the seat of the fire in the basement of fabric store. Placed all hands in service Deputy-1 requested the second alarm. Command ordered all companies out of the building and went in service with an exterior operations. Command requested the third alarm struck for heavy fire through out. Command requested a the collapse unit for a firefighter trapped after a collapse of the building.
The firefighter was recovered from the building and transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Another firefighter was burned in an attempt to rescue the trapped firefighter.
The firefighter was pronounced at the hospital. He had been the Captain of Ladder-27.
The collapse left the firefighter trapped inside the building on the street known as Fabric Row, officials said. Other firefighters saluted as his body was carried out on a stretcher and taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The fatality came just short of a year since the last time Philadelphia firefighters died in the line of duty. A warehouse blaze in the Kensington section last April 11 killed Capt. Robert Neary, 59, and Daniel Sweeney, 25, both from Ladder 10, and injured two other firefighters.
“We have a department that is wounded,” Ayers said. “We have scars that are fresh, and indeed they have now been reopened.”
The first engine arrived four minutes after the fire call came in, Ayers said. One person inside the building at the time was taken out by firefighters, as they stretched hoses into the building and went to work.
It was 31 minutes after the initial call when the second alarm was struck. Ayers said the crews faced “faced heavy smoke, heavy fire,” adding that from the exterior you could see fabric throughout the store.
It was 6:21 p.m. when officials were informed that a member of the department was “down.” The report changed to one member “missing,” and a third alarm was struck by 6:30 p.m.
Ayers said they found out subsequently that the firefighter “had fallen from the third-floor roof to the second-floor roof.”
“Firefighters were trying to rescue him from the second-floor roof when that roof collapsed,” the fire commissioner went on to say.
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Sorry for the title of this video shot yesterday by kevin bac who says he was at church when he smelled smoke. The fire was in the unit block of West Seymour Street. According to PhillyFireNews.com, the fire was reported at 3:55 PM.
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Raw video: Four-alarm Philly fire with multiple collapses. Warehouse stored equipment for famed Mummers parade.
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A was reported fire yesterday afternoon at a warehouse at 2nd Street and Wharton Street in Philadelphia that was rented by one of Philadelphia’s Mummers organizations. The fire went to four-alarms The video above is from Rudy Thomas and the video immediately below is from phillyfirenews and includes the collapse of one of the walls of the structure. The third video also shows a collapse.
B/C-1 had heavy fire in the rear of a two story building, 60×100. Companies had trouble gaining access to the building. Second alarm struck and all companies to evacuate the building. Command placed all hand service with heaviest water lines. Requested the third alarm struck. One civilian was transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation. The fourth alarm was requested, had extension into an exposure.
The warehouse also housed an auto-repair shop.
Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said firefighters initially attacked the fire from inside, but the flames and smoke were too heavy. Several cars inside were on fire. The firefighters retreated.
“It was a good decision,” he said.
Ayers said there was “tons of fire (and) several explosions early on.”
A fire in South Philadelphia that started in a warehouse used to store cars caused heavy damage to a nearby warehouse used to store equipment for a successful Mummers group, destroyed a row home and left other row homes with smoke and water damage.
The four-alarm blaze began at 1301 South 2nd St. around 2:30 p.m. Officials say an elderly woman who lived in the row home that was destroyed was injured in the blaze and remained in stable condition Monday night.
The fire broke out near a warehouse that houses props and equipment used by the Fralinger String Band, a decorated Mummers group. The fire spread quickly to the warehouse and caused extensive damage to nearby homes.
A huge warehouse fire that erupted Monday might have destroyed elaborate props slated for use in the city’s annual New Year’s Day parade, event participants said.
Members of the Fralinger String Band said they were waiting to survey the damage from the blaze in a largely residential area of south Philadelphia. Firefighters were still pouring water on the building several hours after the first flames were reported, Fralinger Chairman Steve Coper said.
Several explosions were reported at the three-story industrial garage, fire department Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said. It took more than 100 firefighters almost four hours to get the blaze controlled.
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James Plagge video for phillyfirenews of Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 53 pulling up to an ATM fire in the 1900 block of S. Delaware Avenue on Sunday. Reported minor extension into the bank. More at PhillyFireNews.com.
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A neighbor’s video (Avarix) spotted on YouTube, of a house fire on Monday around 6:00 PM in the 4400 block of Pechin Street in Philadelphia. Details provided by PhillyFireNews.com:
Engine-12 arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from a three story OMD, 16×40, placed 2&2 in service. B/C-9 reported heavy fire second and third floors, placed all hands in service. All searches were negative.
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Raw video & fireground audio: Four-alarm fire in vacant Philadelphia factory. Firefighter seriously hurt.
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Fire early this morning at Front Street and Girard Avenue.
Engine-29 arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from a three story vacant factory, placed all hands in service. B/C-4 arrived and requested the second struck. All companies in service with heaviest water lines. Command reported an exposure problem and requested the third alarm. Deputy 1 requested the 4th alarm struck. S/C 2 additonal ladders and Squrt 43 above the 4th Alarm. 1 Firefighter was transported the the hospital in serious condition.
Philly FF Dan Crawford, an 18 yr vet from Rescue 1 is stable now after getting seriously injured in this mornings 4 alarm fire. He fractured L -2,3,4 in his back following a fall of over 10 ft from apparatus. Naturally, he will be recovering for a while. Firefighters brought the fire under control in 1 hour 36 minutes. The four-alarm fire destroyed a vacant warehouse at Front Street and Girard Avenue. The fire broke out in the 75-feet by 75-feet, four-story building around 0230 hours and escalated to four alarms within an hour. The fire was declared under control at 4:15 a.m. Its cause is under investigation. We wish him a rapid and successful recovery.
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UPDATE: Paoli Fire now admits firefighter gave one finger wave on live TV during Philly’s July 4th parade.
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UPDATED 5:45 PM:
At the time we posted the video above it was brought to our attention that the Paoli Fire Company had removed a press release from its website earlier today saying a much talked about image of one of its firefighters on live TV at yesterday’s Independence Day parade in Philadelphia was not an obscene gesture (you can read the initial press release here). Now the president and chief have issued a special statement saying that it was, in fact, an obscene gesture and the firefighter involved has been suspended. Here’s the statement:
EARLIER COVERAGE:
Okay folks. Here it is. You be the judge on this one. The Paoli Fire Company in Pennsylvania regrets that this was perceived as a firefighter flipping the bird to a live television camera during yesterday’s Independence Day parade in Philadelphia (read complete statement). On Facebook many have been very vocal that this was intentional. I will let the video speak for itself.
Note that the Paoli Fire Company has removed the earlier press release from its website.
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Previous coverage
UPDATE: We have posted the video of the live TV coverage here. Also Paoli Fire Company has removed its previous press release.
Pennsylvania’s Paoli Fire Company confirmed what crowd sourcing on Facebook yesterday afternoon already made public, that a firefighter with his hand out the window of a fire engine during the Philadelphia Independence Day Parade was one of its members. In a press release on the Paoli Fire Company website (below) the case is made that this image is just of A finger protruding from the firefighter’s hand on live TV and not THE finger.
A lot of people on Facebook feel otherwise about the still image. One STATter911.com reader claims that the entire video had been posted at some point yesterday but has since been taken down. We didn’t see it, but it seems to me the video, if available, might provide some clarity.
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NOTE: Fire company has come forward with an explanation. Click here to read it.
UPDATE: We have posted the video of the live TV coverage here. Also Paoli Fire Company has removed its previous press release.
This image began making the rounds on Facebook yesterday afternoon sparking a lot of commentary. STATter911.com has also been getting emails about it. We are told it’s a still image from WPVI-TV’s live coverage of the Philadelphia Independence Day parade.
The large majority of the comments on Facebook are from people outraged and disgusted by what appears to be a firefighter making an obscene gesture to the camera.
I am not sure who, from just viewing the still image, identified the fire company involved. I have chosen to block out the department’s name for now and to obscure the firefighter’s face (he’s looking right into the camera) until we learn more. It would be nice to have the ability to see the whole clip to give it context and get some official word about whose rig is.
But I and a lot others sure have found the image interesting.
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Arrangements for Philadelphia Fire Department Lt. Robert Neary & Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, Ladder 10.
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Previous coverage here, here & here
Image and information from IAFF Local 22′s website:
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT NEARY
It is with deep regret that the Department announces the death of Lieutenant Robert Neary, assigned to Ladder 10, Platoon “C”. Lieutenant Neary, a veteran with over 37 years of service, died in the line of duty Monday, April 9, 2012.
All off-duty officers and members are invited to attend the services in uniform. Uniform of the day will be Class “A” Dress, with blouse coat and cap.
VIEWING AND MEMORIAL:
Friday, April 13, 2012 1600 Hours Givnish Funeral Home 10975 Academy Road Philadelphia, PA 19154ADDITIONAL VIEWING:
Saturday, April 14, 2012 1700 Hours – 2000 Hours Givnish Funeral Home 10975 Academy Road Philadelphia, PA 19154INTERMENT: Private
Members attending the viewing and memorial on Friday, April 13, 2012, who wish to be part of the formation will report to BC Michael Yaeger at 1430 hours in front of the Givnish Funeral Home. Archbishop Ryan High School will be available for the overflow parking.
DEATH OF FIREFIGHTER DANIEL SWEENEY
It is with deep regret that the Department announces the death of Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, assigned to Ladder 10, Platoon “C”. Firefighter Sweeney, a veteran of almost 6 years of service, died in the line of duty on Monday, April 9, 2012, while on duty.
All off-duty officers and members are invited to attend the services in uniform. Uniform of the day will be Class “A” Dress, with blouse coat and cap.
VIEWING: Friday, April 13, 2012 1900 Hours – 2100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church 535 Rhawn Street Philadelphia, PA 19111 Saturday, April 14, 2012 0900 Hours – 1100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church
SERVICE: Saturday, April 14, 2012
1100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church 535 Rhawn Street Philadelphia, PA 19111INTERMENT: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Immediately following the Service Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 4001 W. Cheltenham Avenue Philadelphia, PAMembers attending the viewing and service on Saturday, April 14, 2012 who wish to be part of the formation will report to BC Albert Anderson at 0845 Hours in front of St. Cecilia’s Church.
Retired Philly Captain David Sweeney talks about his son. Firefighter Daniel Sweeney and Lt. Robert Neary remembered. Additional fireground audio.
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IAFF Local 22
Philadelphia Fire Department
Engine 7, Ladder 10 Facebook page
Yesterday’s coverage here & here
WTXF:
The father of 25 year old firefighter Daniel Sweeney remembering his only son, a 6 year firefighter who graduated from Bishop Mcdevitt before joining the fire department.
David Sweeney knows all to well the dangers his son faced rushing into a burning building. He was a former fire captain recently retiring after 36 years with the department.
Above is additional fireground audio. This clip, from PhillyFireNews.com, starts when the fire was brought under control about 30-minutes before the collapse at the furniture store.
Neary, a 37-year veteran, was close to the end of his tenure. He recently had applied for the city’s Deferred Retirement Option Program so he could leave within the next four years and spend time with his wife and three children – and his boat – at the Shore.
The two injured firefighters, Francis Chaney and Pat Nally, were taken to Temple University Hospital. Chaney, 43, was treated and released.
Nally, 25, required CPR at the scene of the fire. He remained in the intensive care unit in guarded condition Monday, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.
A Lieutenant since 1983, Robert Neary had been awarded four unit citations in his career. He was a Philadelphia police officer for three years before joining the fire department, and served as an Army reservist for 10 years, where he attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. Neary leaves behind his wife, Diane, and their three children.
Daniel Sweeney is the son of retired Philadelphia Fire Captain David Sweeney. Daniel joined the fire department in July of 2006 and had been awarded two unit citations during his time in service.
UPDATE: Timeline on rescue & recovery released. Lt. Robert Neary & Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, Philadelphia Fire Department Ladder 10 killed in collapse at 5-alarm fire.
8 commentsVideo above from Newsworking’s Bill Rohrer.
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Previous coverage including fireground audio
IAFF Local 22
Philadelphia Fire Department
Engine 7, Ladder 10 Facebook page
Next news briefing scheduled for 4:00 PM EDT. Click here to watch it.
UPDATE:
During a press conference shortly after 4:00 PM Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers provided a more complete timeline of the rescue and recover of the firefighters trapped this morning. Here’s the information -
Collapse – 5:56 AM
FF Chaney removed – 6:12 AM
FF Nally removed – 6:22 AM
Lt. Neary removed – 7:06 AM
FF Sweeney removed – 7:25 AM
EARLIER:
At a noon hour press conference Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says the firefighters who died and were injured in the collapse this morning of a furniture store at 2411 Kensington Avenue had gone back into the building to confirm that earlier efforts to extinguish fire in the exposure building had been successful. It was at that time, approximately a half-hour after the fire at a vacant warehouse and other exposures had been declared under control, that a wall and part of the roof collapsed at the furniture store. Four firefighters were trapped for an extended period as their colleagues worked to free them.
Above is raw video from the press conference during the noon hour.
Killed were Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney of Ladder 10. Firefighter Pat Nally is in critical but stable condition. Firefighter Francis Chaney is in stable condition. A fifth firefighter was able to free himself from the rubble and was treated and released.
Lt. Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, Ladder 10.
“With deep regret,” Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers has disclosed the names of two Philadelphia firefighters who perished this morning battling a fire in a furniture store that spread from a raging five-alarm blaze that leveled an aging Kensington warehouse.
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
Neary was hoping to retire soon, and Sweeney was the son of a recently retired fire captain, according to Ladder 10 colleagues.
It took firefighters about two hours to dig out all of the trapped firefighters, said Deputy Fire Commissioner Ernest Hargett.
Google Maps view of furniture store at 2411 Kensington Avenue. Collapse reported to have occurred in the rear of the building. Click here to view the area.
The fire was first reported around 3:15 a.m. inside what was the Thomas Buck Hosiery Factory, which has been abandoned since the mid 1970s. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy fire showing from all six floors of the building. Residents describe hearing explosions coming from inside the factory inferno.
Hot embers whipped up in strong winds started fires at six nearby homes and several surrounding businesses, including the furniture store. Firefighters were trying to extinguish the flames inside the furniture store when a rear wall collapsed, trapping five firefighters.
One of the firefighters managed to free himself but four others were trapped inside for several hours until they were finally pulled from the rubble.
Neary had 38 years in with the department, and he had four unit citations in his career.
Before joining the fire department, Neary was a Philadelphia Police officer for three years.
Neary leaves behind a wife, Diane, and their three children.
Firefighter Daniel Sweeney was a second-generation firefighter and joined the Department in July 2006. He was at Ladder 10 since 2007.
Sweeney already had two unit citations in his career.
Above is this morning’s initial press conference.
UPDATE: Fireground audio added. Two Philadelphia firefighters killed at 5-alarm fire this morning. Three others hurt. Crew trapped in collapse at exposure building.
22 commentsUPDATE:
Here are some details from the press conference held shortly after 9:00 this morning. The two firefighters killed have only been identified so far as a 60-year-old male and a 25-year-old male. According to Philadelphia Fire Department officials, the fire was reported under control about 5:30 AM but the crew from Ladder 10 and an engine company were working in a furniture store adjacent to the original fire building dealing with extension. At 5:50 AM there was a collapse of the rear and side wall that trapped five firefighters. One of the firefighters was able to walk out on his own, the rest had to be rescued or recovered by fellow firefighters. One of the injured firefighters has been admitted to the hospital. The other two are being evaluated.
Image above of rescue operation by Bill Rohrer of Newsworking.
EARLIER:
A five-alarm fire in Philadelphia has taken the lives of two firefighters. PhillyFireNews.com‘s Ron Trout reports the fire was originally reported as a rubbish fire at York Street and Jasper Street, but Engine 2 arrived to find multiple large buildings burning. Below is fireground audio.
Here’s some of the news coverage:
Two Philadelphia firefighters have been killed while battling a massive warehouse fire in Kensington early Monday morning. Two other firefighters were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The firefighters were trapped in a collapse at the furniture store that started burning after embers from the warehouse at East York and Jasper Streets set a fire.
The firefighters who died were assigned to Ladder 10, officials said.
Flames spread to at least six other structures, including the furniture store at Boston Street and Kensington Avenue, said Deputy Fire Commissioner Ernest Hargett.
Ron Trout photo from PhillyFireNews.com. Click here for more pictures.
Action News has learned that two firefighters were killed and two others injured while battling a 5-alarm warehouse fire in Kensington Monday morning.
The four firefighters were inside a furniture store at the intersection of Kensington Avenue and E Boston Street, which had caught fire as the result of embers coming from the burning warehouse, located adjacent to the store.
The fire went to five alarms early Monday morning at York and Jasper streets and collapsed two walls of the six-story abandoned structure.
(Reporter Sean) Tobin reported that five firefighters were trapped at about 6:30 a.m. A rescue team was sent in, and three of the fighters were rescued alive.
UPDATE – Audio from Philadelphia house fire with rescues. Three firefighters & four civilians hurt. Lt. critical but stable.
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Audio from PhillyFireNews.com
The link above has audio from a fire just before 6:00 this morning at 1618 N. 20th Street in North Philadelphia. You will hear the evacuation ordered at 5:28 in the audio, followed by the call for additional medic units for injured firefighters.
(Commissioner Lloyd) Ayers identified the seriously injured firefighter as Lt. Marvin Melvin, a member of the department since 1999. He is assigned to Engine 27, located at 19th and Master streets.
Melvin was in critical but stable condition Sunday night in the burn unit at Temple University Hospital. Ayers said he was alert and talking to his family, and "doing well."
Bill Gault, president of Local 22 of the firefighters' union, said Melvin was burned on both arms and his back.
According to Philadelphia Fire Deputy Chief Michael Wahl, the call for the house fire came in at 5:58 a.m. at 1618 North 20th Street. Upon arrival initial reports were of heavy smoke and a couple trapped inside.
Upon entering the home, firefighters rescued two people while two others escaped on their own. Three women and one child were taken to Hahnemann hospital for treatment and were in stable condition.
Details on injuries from PhillyFireNews.com:
Three firefighters were injured while rescuing the trapped victims. One member with first and second degree burns to his arms. Two other firefighters were transported with minor injuries. Four civilians were also transported with smoke inhalation.
From the AP:
Fire officials say a blaze in a north Philadelphia row home injured seven people, including three firefighters, one critically.
Authorities say the fire in the three-story building was reported just before 6 a.m. Sunday. Arriving crews have reported heavy black smoke pouring from the third floor. Firefighters battled the flames for about an hour.
One firefighter has been taken to a hospital burn unit in critical but stable condition. Two other firefighters are reported to be in stable condition.
Firefighters helped two people from the building while two others escaped on their own. All four had minor injuries that were treated at a hospital.
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At 10:23AM, box 1228 was transmitted for a house fire at 32 Summit Street (btwn Germantown & Stenton Avenues). On arrival, crews found a 2-1/2 story 50×50 detached garage fully-involved behind a dwelling.
Battalion 9 filled-out the box on arrival and placed 3 and 3 in-service. The upper floor of the garage collapsed into the first-floor. The fire was place under control around 11:15AM.
Watch at 1:57 of the video – a wall collapses just missing a firefighter.
Engines 9, 19, 51, 73, Ladders 21, 8, 29, BN 9 & 2, Deputy 2, Rescue 1 and Squad 72.
Philadelphia Firefighter Jack Slivinski found dead. Was in center of recent charity calendar controversy.
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Coverage of calendar controversy
You may recall the controversy that surfaced two months ago after a Philadelphia firefighter posed shirtless for a charity calendar. We are sad to report that the firefighter involved, 31-year-old John "Jack" Slivinski of Rescue 1, was found dead in his home in Lawndale yesterday morning. The death was confirmed for Philly.com's Joelle Farrell by Commissioner Lloyd Ayers:
"The Philadelphia Fire Department has lost a son," Ayers said. "As you may imagine, this is devastating to everybody."
Ayers would not say whether foul play is suspected. Slivinski was not on duty at the time of his death, he said.
Police were not immediately available to comment on the case.
Ayers, who was originally critical of Slivinski and IAFF Local 22 President Bill Gault for doing the photo shoot without approval from the commissioner's office, made a rare appearance at the trial board for Slivinski and recommended he be allowed to return to Rescue 1 with just an oral reprimand.
There are currently no further details on Firefighter Slivinski's death.
Nipplegate is over. Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers makes rare trial board appearance & sends firefighter/model back to his company.
8 commentsPrevious coverage of this story
Our short local nightmare is over. Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers made his point that Firefighter Jack Slavinski violated department policy when he posed shirtless for a charity calendar. But in the end, the commissioner sent Firefighter Slavinski back to Rescue 1 with only an oral reprimand. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer this happened yesterday when Commissioner Ayers made a rare appearance at Slavinski's trial board hearing.
A spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter reiterated Ayers' previous position that the department is in the safety business and not the beefcake business. Here is an excerpt from Robert Moran's article:
Slavinski appeared at a hearing Tuesday and was facing three disciplinary charges, said union official Mike Kane.
In a surprise move, Ayers appeared at the hearing and agreed to simply give Slavinski an oral reprimand and reassign him back to Rescue 1.
Kane said he had participated in more than 50 such hearings and "it was the first time the commissioner walked into the room and talked to anybody."
Firefighter Slavinski is one of a dozen firefighters across the country who were asked to be part of the charity calendar. He posed for photographer Katherine Kostreva in front of a well known Philly fountain. The union had help set up the shoot and expected the city's portion of the money raised to go to the survivors of fallen firefighters. IAFF Local 22 president Bill Gault confirmed for reporters they failed to run the shoot by the commissioner's office.
Last week Commissioner Ayers told Philadelphia Daily News reporter David Gambacorta, "We get letters from children. They look up to us. We cannot allow them to be showing nipples in photographs of Philadelphia firefighters."
Ayers is catching some grief today about this even becoming an issue from Philadelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky who cites what she calls a double standard by the commissioner. Polaneczky pointed to a YouTube video of Ayers (below), in uniform, providing a testimonial while shopping in the Philadelphia book store Black and Nobel.
Polanecsky believes that the store's home page might be more offensive to some than exposed nipples.
Here's an excerpt from Polanecsky's column:
"I went to the store to get black literature and the guy stuck a camera in my face to say things about the store, but I didn't know he was going to put it on YouTube," Ayers said defensively. "I don't see how this issue ties in to the calendar controversy."
Here's how it ties in:
The commissioner did something well-intentioned that he never expected would be taken the wrong way. Just as Slivinski did something well-intentioned that he never expected would be taken the wrong way.
Ayers' first response should've been to extend to a decent, hardworking underling the same compassion he affords himself.
The mayor's spokesman told reporters the city is considering legal action to keep Slavinski's photo out of the calendar.
Nipplegate: Topless calendar photo brings trouble for Philly firefighter. Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says we sell safety, not sex.
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The picture above has Firefighter Jack Slivinski in a bit of trouble with Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Lloyd Ayers. Commissioner Ayers told Philadelphia Daily News reporter David Gambacorta, "We get letters from children. They look up to us. We cannot allow them to be showing nipples in photographs of Philadelphia firefighters."
According to the article, Firefighter Slivinski has been removed from his assignment to Engine 1 and is losing OT money while his role in a charity calendar is being investigated. New York photographer Katherine Kostreva came to Philly last week just to shoot Slivinski in front of the Logan Circle fountain. He is one of a dozen firefighters from around the country who are posing for this charity calendar. Bill Gault, who is president of IAFF Local 22, wanted Philadelphia's share to go to spouses of local firefighters.
But that has now become a problem. From Gambacorta's article:
The commissioner said he had good reason to be fuming at Slivinski and Local 22.
For one thing, Ayers said, the department has long been opposed to its members posing for "beefcake calendars."
"We don't sell sex, we sell safety.," Ayers said. "That's been our mantra for the longest time."
The article says the policy of the department is permission must be granted by supervisors before posing for outside publications. Gault admits he screwed up by not running it by Ayers, but says everyone's intentions were good ones. Photographer Kostreva agrees and added, "I think the commissioner is just overreacting."
UPDATED: Explosion & fire caught on video – fireground audio. Gas company worker killed, five others hurt, including Philadelphia firefighter. Three-alarms to the Tacony section last night.
5 commentsRaw Video: Tacony Gas Main Explosion: MyFoxPHILLY.com
An explosion and fire, captured on video by a TV crew, killed a gas company worker in the Tacony area of Philadelphia last night and injured five others including a Philadelphia firefighter. It occurred while crews were trying to repair a break to a high-pressure gas main. WCAU-TV reports the body of a PGW employee was discovered after the fire was controlled. An evacuation of a two block area took place before the explosion happened. Three-alarms were called to handle the fire and deal with the injured.
Two of the gas workers were in critical condition and one was rushed to the Temple University Hospital Burn Unit. Another PGW worker and firefighter were in stable condition with unknown injuries, sources said.
It happened around 7:36 p.m. in the middle of Disston Street near Torresdale Avenue (click here for Google Maps Street View of neighborhood) as crews worked to fix both the gas leak and a water main that was possibly damaged due to pressure from the break in the 12-inch gas main.
Firefighters were called around 7:20 due to an obvious smell of gas. They arrived on the scene at 7:26 and called for hazmat crews and police officers to assist.
Around 7:30 gas was bubbling through the pavement, officials said.
The explosion and ensuing blaze took down one building and partially destroyed another, Ayers said.
Gas officials shut off the gas as firefighters battled the blaze. By 10:30 p.m. the blaze appeared to be dying down and it was officially under control just before 11.
The blast could be felt as far away as Palmyra and Pennsauken across the river in New Jersey.
Engine 52 O/L reported a gas main break in the street, evacuation in progress. Battalion 12 arrived and requested a box to be transmitted with a haz-mat response, as the gas was emanating over multiple blocks. A command post was then established, covers assigned. PGW employees were O/S attempting to mitigate the break.
At 20:35 hours, a 2nd alarm was transmitted by D/C 2 when an explosion occurred. Numerous medic units were detailed to the assignment. D/C 2 reported a 12″ main that had exploded, reported fire in at least 2 buildings, requested the collapse unit to the scene. Several PFD members injured as well as PGW employees.
The 3rd alarm was transmitted at 21:00 hours, as large scale evacuations were being made to a nearby shelter. At 22:55 hours, B/C 12 placed the fire U/C. One (1) PGW employee was found dead under the rubble.
STATter911.com earlier coverage of the Walnut Street fire & Sunday’s five-alarm fire on Warren Street
Newsworking.org’s Bill Rohr sent along this video he took yesterday evening at 4800 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Here’s Bill’s account:
At 14:35 hours, Box 2837 was transmitted for the apartment building at 4800 Walnut Street. On arrival, crews found heavy smoke in the hallways on the 3rd and 4th floor.
Due to the massive size of the comples, crews had trouble finding the seat of the fire. When they finally did, the fire was in the walls extending vertically to the cockloft.
A second alarm was transmitted about an hour into the call. With the rapid extension of the fire in the cockloft, the 3rd and 4th alarms were transmitted. As the fire spread to the west wing and the east wing, the 5th alarm was transmitted.
In all, over 160 firefighters and more than 50 pieced of equipment battled the blaze in freezing temperatures. 89 of the 90 apartments were occupied. About 100 residents were displace by the fire.
It took over five hours to contain the blaze. Under Control was transmitted at 19:25, but firefighters were far from finished.
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