New York Telephone Fire 50 Years On

tperez102 said:

Its been 50 Years since this fire occurred. Its effects were long lasting among the Firefighters that were there that Day. The health issues it caused brought in many changes to Response notable Reading smoke and what's burning. It's a long read but worth the time.
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May those who responded and are no longer with us continue to Rest in Peace. May their families, friends and coworkers continue to be comforted. And may those who responded to this fire and are still with us be recognized for their heroism. God bless them all.
 
I responded to the Telphone Company with my unit at that time Engine 27. We responded I think on the 2nd Alarm and spent many hours at the scene. It was the Smokiest and hottest fire I every fought in my 30 years with the FDNY. It was like walking into a toaster because of al the hot metal in the wire racks. Thanks to a good officer we took little of the very dangerous smoke. Some other units were not so blessed. I know Captain Herlehy and all the member of Chinatown's Ladder 6 working that day were sadly dead with 5 years of that fire. Despite what the FDNY said I had no follow-up on my health related to that fire. Photos Below
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired. FDNY disaster at Ma Bells SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE.jpegFDNY disaster at Ma Bells SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE.jpegFDNY Disaster at Ma. Bells 2nd Ave & E. 12th St. 2-27-75.jpgFDNY Disaster At Ma Bells NY Telepone Co. 2-27-75 2nd Ave. & 13 St..jpg
 
As a member of E 5 during that fire, I was invited to attend, even though I missed that job. So my son and I, put our uniforms on, boarded the LIRR, and 2 buses, and went to E 5 for coffee. The Captain of 5, gave us a ride to the ceremony. All the first alarm assignment companies were there. A really nice wreath was next to the front entrance. Besides the brass, the daughters of Dan Noonan, gave a little talk.

Rest in Peace to the brothers who suffered from this fire
 
I started in the company in '89 and in the years that followed we lost guys who worked on restoration at the CO. Mostly splicers and linemen who worked in the vault for the weeks following. I'm sure others too that never put it together where the cancer came from.
 
For the members who tuned in to our recent monthly zoom meeting on February 4th, '25, Bill Jones, aka "Parkave32" presented to us an excellent presentation on this NY Telephone Co Fire from an Industrial point of view, as he was the Industrial Telecommunications Manager there at the time.

I think we all learned a lot about the fire and the behind-the-scenes operations, including a few FDNY members who were in attendance and responded to that incident.
 
I, as I said worked this fire and there was NO mark on my FDNY Medical Folder ever. I was lucky and never had health problems related to this fire but "NO FOLLOW UP WAS EVER DONE TO MYSELF OR ALOT OF THE OTHER MEMBERS THAT FOUGHT THIS FIRE."
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired,
 
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