Fire Service Line of Duty Deaths
March 10, 1941 - Brockton, Massachusetts. 13 Firefighters were killed.
In the heart of Brockton’s business district, people usually flocked to the downtown area to shop or take in a show in what was a busy part of the city. Sunday, March 9, 1941, like all other Sundays, drew large crowds looking for the entertainment of a movie or vaudeville show.
The Strand Theatre, located on a large block at the corner of Main and School Streets, was showing the film "Hoosier School Boy" starring Mickey Rooney. "Secret Evidence" filled out the double bill.
Long after the last show, the night custodian discovered a fire in the basement and instructed his helper to activate the fire alarm box located at Main and High Street. At 12:38 a.m., the fire department received box 1311 and sent the first alarm apparatus to the scene. A second alarm followed shortly after the first, and finally a general alarm was sounded bringing all of Brockton’s apparatus to the Strand.
When firefighters first arrived, all indications were that they were not dealing with a very serious fire. However, as time progressed, the fire gained headway. This became more apparent to those on the outside of the theatre than crews working inside.
The fire started in the basement and was knocked down by crews with cellar pipes while flames raced through the vertical voids in the walls and ventilation ducts. Firefighters worked feverishly to extinguish hidden fire while crews opened walls and ceilings in the lobby and under the balcony. A number of men moved up to the balcony to attack the fire which had made its way to the auditorium ceiling just below the roof.
The first signs of visible outside fire erupted from the southwest corner of the building as outside crews played a large hose-line on the exposed flames. Firefighters on the balcony continued their efforts to expose the fire within the ceiling as hose streams were directed overhead from the auditorium floor.
Less than one hour after the initial alarm, the Strand Theatre fire changed the course of history for the City of Brockton and its fire department, particularly for those men working on the balcony. Suddenly, without warning, the west section of the roof came down in a crash that rested its weight on top of many unsuspecting firefighters and knocked several from the balcony and roof to the auditorium below.
Remaining, uninjured firefighters worked diligently in the chaos and rubble to free their comrades despite the danger and fear of further collapse. Eventually, fire departments from surrounding towns relieved crews from Brockton. Later that morning, the dead and injured firefighters were removed from the scene as the department and outside agencies faced the difficult task of determining the cause of the fire and the subsequent collapse.
In all, 13 Firefighters were killed, and more than 20 injured when what was termed a routine fire, turned into disaster.
No definite cause for the fire was ever discovered. Initial reports that the fire was arson proved to be inconclusive. Further investigation revealed that the unprotected steel roof trusses played a major role in the collapse. The heat of the fire within the concealed space between the roof and the auditorium ceiling was believed to have distorted the steel trusses, causing them to buckle and separate with ease. Experts questioned the effectiveness of the construction and design used in the roof assembly.
Some reports state that the weight of a previous snowfall may have added to the collapse. However, witness accounts and photographs indicate a minimal amount of snow.
It is important to note that many older structures of similar design and construction to the Strand Theatre still exist in the country today (particular in older cities). Attention should be brought to the potential collapse danger of these unprotected steel truss roofs in an effort to prevent similar tragedies.
Dedicated to the memory of those firefighters who gave their lives at the Strand Theater on March 10, 1941 in the performance of their duty.
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Captain John F. Carroll, 52 --Ladder Company 3
Lieutenant Raymond A. Mitchell, 48 --Engine Company 4
Firefighter Roy A. McKeraghan, 43 --Squad A
Firefighter Denis P. Murphy, 49 --Squad A
Firefighter William J. Murphy, 30 --Squad A
Firefighter Daniel C. O'Brien, 46 --Squad A
Firefighter George A. Collins, 62 --Engine Company 1
Firefighter Frederick F. Kelley, 49 --Engine Company 1
Firefighter Martin Lipper, 47 --Engine Company 1
Firefighter Henry E. Sullivan, 46 --Engine Company 1
Firefighter Bartholomew Herlihy, 46 --Ladder Company 1
Firefighter John M. McNeill, 43 --Ladder Company 1
Firefighter Matthew E. McGeary, 50 --Ladder Company 3
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