NY Times Archives
Fire Captain Dies As Wall Collapses In Brooklyn Blaze
A 40‐year‐old New York City Fire Department official was killed early yesterday when a wall of a burning discotheque in Brooklyn collapsed.
The official was identified by the department as Capt. John J. Stelmack of Engine Company 284. He lived at 40 Lincoln Avenue in Northport, L.I.
Captain Stelmack, who had been decorated several times for bravery, was married and had two children, 19 and 21 years old.
According to Fire Department officials, the blaze started in a two‐story building at 8717 Fourth Avenue in the Bay Ridge section at about 2:30 A.M. The upper floor of the brick building was vacant, but the first floor was occupied by the discotheque, the Revelation 2. The police said there were no patrons in the discotheque at the time of the fire, which a Fire Department spokesman said was of undetermined, although not suspicious, origin.
Captain Stelmack arrived at the scene of the fire minutes after the alarm was sounded. As he was inspecting the premises, a portion of a wall caved in on him. The captain was pronounced dead on arrival at nearby Victory Memorial hospital.
Three other firemen were also injured, although none was hurt seriously, according to fire officials. Captain Stelmack was the fourth fireman to die this year in fighting fires in the city.
More than 2,000 fellow firefighters are expected to attend a mass that will be offered for Captain Stelmack next Monday at noon at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church at 344 Main Street, Northport.
Capt John J Stelmack, killed, and 3 other firemen hurt, as wall of discotheque collapses, Bay Ridge sec, Bklyn; Stelmack por (S)
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