FDNY Line of Duty Death
June 5, 1998 - LODD
Lieutenant James W. Blackmore, 48
Engine 332
FDNY. Brooklyn, New York
On June 5, 1998 Lieutenant Blackmore and Captain LaPiedra, along with other firefighters, were conducting a search on the second floor of a commercial/residential structure. A civilian fire victim had been reported to be trapped in the area. Without warning, the second floor collapsed into the fire area on the first floor, trapping firefighters in a live fire on the first floor. Two firefighters died and four were seriously injured. The civilian fire victim had escaped through a back entrance. Lieutenant Blackmore was pronounced dead at the hospital after being recovered by other firefighters, the cause of death was crushing trauma and burns resulting in a heart attack. Captain LaPiedra suffered severe burns (70%) and died on July 4, 1998, the cause of death was thermal burns resulting in cardiac arrest.
RIP. Never forget.