FDNY's Tragic 23rd Street Fire-44th Anniversary

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The five-alarm fire on October 17, 1966, began in the Wonder Drug Store on the corner of 23rd Street and Broadway. It took the lives of 12 members, representing the single worst loss of New York City firefighters in the line of duty prior to September 11, 2001.

Twelve members of every rank, from a probationary firefighter to a deputy chief, made the Supreme Sacrifice when the ground floor of the store collapsed. The fire originated in a storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinderblock wall illegally constructed by the building’s previous owner.

Those killed in the fire included Deputy Chief Thomas A. Reilly and Firefighter William F. McCarron, both of Division 3; Battalion Chief Walter J. Higgins of Battalion 7; Lieutenant Joseph Priore, Firefighter James V. Galanaugh, Firefighter Joseph Kelly, Firefighter Daniel L. Rey and Firefighter Bernard A. Tepper, all of Engine Company 18; and Lieutenant John J. Finley, Firefighter John G. Berry, Firefighter Rudolph F. Kaminsky and Firefighter Carl Lee, all of Ladder Company 7.

http://www.nyfd.com/history/23rd_street/23rd_street.html

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The FDNY memorial in the Labor Chapel was originally conceived to honor 12 firefighters killed in 1966, but hundreds of personal notes and trinkets of remembrance have transformed it into a moving tribute to the 343 firefighters killed while trying to save others on September 11, 2001.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/new-york-city-cathedral-st-john-the-divine

Address: 1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York City, New York

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I worked with the nephew of Proby Daniel Rey in my firehouse. He just got out 2 years ago on a line of duty injury pension.

Never Forgotten!

Rest in Peace Men!