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Much History contained here.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoanut_Grove_fire
11-28-42 ...BOSTON COCONUT GROVE FIRE.
- Thread starter 68jk09
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Interestingly, Boston was already operating just down Broadway for a car fire at Box 1514. The first telephone call for Cocoanut Grove was at 10:20 PM by the wife of an off-duty member who was running out the door. He knew it was a different fire and to give the address of Broadway and Piedmont at the Cocoanut Grove. Fire Alarm struck Box 1521, Church and Winchester Streets.
Meanwhile, District Chief Crowley was telling the officer of Engine 22 to sound the "all out" for 1514 when they both spotted the unfolding disaster and ran up Stuart Street to where they could. see the club. The Chief turned to Lieutenant Coleman of 22's and told him get to 1521, skip the second and sound a third alarm. Fire Alarm sent out the third at 10:23, followed a minute later by a fourth. The fire was knocked by 10:45PM and a fifth alarm was sent for manpower at 11:04.
Recall that the Boston Fire Department had just suffered six LODDs thirteen days prior at the Maverick Square fire in East Boston at Box 6153.
Meanwhile, District Chief Crowley was telling the officer of Engine 22 to sound the "all out" for 1514 when they both spotted the unfolding disaster and ran up Stuart Street to where they could. see the club. The Chief turned to Lieutenant Coleman of 22's and told him get to 1521, skip the second and sound a third alarm. Fire Alarm sent out the third at 10:23, followed a minute later by a fourth. The fire was knocked by 10:45PM and a fifth alarm was sent for manpower at 11:04.
Recall that the Boston Fire Department had just suffered six LODDs thirteen days prior at the Maverick Square fire in East Boston at Box 6153.
The Story of the Cocoanut Grove Fire
The Cocoanut Grove Fire
November 28, 1942
2220 Hours, Box 1521, 5 Alarms
The Story of the Cocoanut Grove Fire - Boston Fire Historical Society (bostonfirehistory.org)
Fire Origin:
At about 10:15 PM that evening, a busboy had been ordered by a bartender to fix a light bulb located at the top of an artificial palm tree in the corner of the basement Melody Lounge. It is believed that the bulb had been unscrewed by a patron desiring more intimacy with his date. Due to the lack of light in the area of the palm tree, the busboy lit a match in order to locate the socket for the light bulb.
A moment later, several patrons thought they saw a flicker of a flame in the palm tree of the ceiling decorations. As they watched, they saw the decorations change color and appeared to be burning, but without a noticeable flame. After several moments, the palm tree burst into flames and the bartenders tried to extinguish the fire with water and seltzer bottles. Some patrons started for the only public exit from the Melody Lounge, a four-foot wide set of stairs leading to the Foyer on the first floor. As other furnishings ignited, a fireball of flame and toxic gas raced across the room toward the stairs. A wild panic ensued and attempts to open the emergency exit door at the top of the stairs were not successful. The fireball traveled up the stairs and burst into the Foyer area, where coatrooms, restrooms and the main entrance were located. Amid cries of “Fire, Fire”, customers quickly moved to toward the exit. After a small number of people exited, the revolving door became jammed due to the crush of panicked patrons. Observers outside could only watch in horror as relatives and friends were crushed by the weight of the crowd surging against the jammed door.
BFD Response:
In a strange coincidence, at 10:15PM, the Boston Fire Department received and transmitted Box 1514, located at Stuart and Carver Streets, located about three blocks from the Cocoanut Grove. Upon arrival and investigation, firefighters found an automobile fire on Stuart Street. After quickly extinguishing the fire, a firefighter noticed what appeared to be smoke coming from the Cocoanut Grove. As they began to investigate, bystanders ran toward them to report the fire. Upon arrival at the Grove, firefighters found a heavy smoke condition emanating from the entire building, with both patrons and employees escaping from the building. At 10:20PM, the Boston Fire Alarm Office (FAO) received Box 1521, Church and Winchester Streets, apparently pulled by a civilian bystander. The fire chief at the scene ordered his aide to skip the Second Alarm and request a Third Alarm, via fire alarm telegraph, from Box 1521, which was transmitted at 10:23PM, followed by a Fourth Alarm at 10:24PM. A Fifth Alarm was transmitted at 11:02PM.
The small, congested streets in the area of the Grove quickly became clogged with fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles. The fire was extinguished in a matter of minutes, but the damage had already been done. Rescue operations began immediately, but the full horror of what awaited the firefighters inside the building was not fully realized for a period of time. Many patrons who were able to exit under their own power collapsed in the street and stacks of bodies, both living and dead, were buried shoulder-high at many of the exits. Getting inside to help proved nearly as difficult as getting out.
Was L-13 with E-22 at that time?
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Engine 22 and Ladder 13 were together at 70 Warren Ave in 1942.
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And it never stops. On October 30, 2015 the metal band Goodbye To Gravity was performing in the nightclub Colectiv. It was in the the basement of an old factory in Bucharest, Romania. You can guess the rest. No exits..sound-proofing material everywhere...pyrotechnics...64 fatalities.
There is now a documentary movie named "Collective" about this event available on iTunes, Google Play, etc, It covers corruption before and afterwards. The leftist government was toppled over this. I have not seen it, but the movie has gotten a stellar review by the New York Times on Friday (yeah, I know).
There is now a documentary movie named "Collective" about this event available on iTunes, Google Play, etc, It covers corruption before and afterwards. The leftist government was toppled over this. I have not seen it, but the movie has gotten a stellar review by the New York Times on Friday (yeah, I know).
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Engine 22 and Ladder 13 moved to 700 Tremont and Concord Street in June, 1960. The one story firehouse took three years to build and the roof leaked from Day One.
Now that we're approaching Day 22,000, does the roof still leak?
As an aside, I understand that FDNY's 22/13 used to get together with Boston's 22/13 and take in a ballgame at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park until the mid to late '70s.
Boston's L-13 was disbanded in the early '80s.
As an aside, I understand that FDNY's 22/13 used to get together with Boston's 22/13 and take in a ballgame at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park until the mid to late '70s.
Boston's L-13 was disbanded in the early '80s.
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When I was in 108 we always had a good relationship with guys from BFD.....every year "back when" on the Sat night before the FDNY Holy Name Communion Breakfast a group of BFD guys would come down & stay with us overnight in the FH & go to the HN Breakfast the next morning....good guys, good times....I always said if I had not got on the FDNY I would have tried for BFD.