Retired Fire Chief Jim Fitzgerald recalls a downtown fire that happened on December 26, 1962 in today’s #FlashbackFriday.
Retired Chief Fitzgerald – My Father (Fire Prevention Officer James Fitzgerald Sr) and I were at this fire which happened December 26, 1962. It was located on the north side of Dundas St just east of Waterloo St. The building was a combination of the Esquire Hotel and Royal Alex Restaurant where the fire originated.
In the basement was an ammonia storage tank that was escaping gas. My Father found the tank. He didn’t have a filter mask on …he entered the basement to shut the gas off. Three months to the day, he passed away from pneumonia and heart attack. We didn’t have Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment back then.
I recall it was a very cold day about -20 F. The hydrant in front of the building was covered with ice as was Firefighter Don Whitworth from a leaking hydrant. Engine 1 (pictured) was pumping from this hydrant. I was glad the pump operating panel was on the opposite side of the truck.
Also in this picture is Truck 1 aerial at the side of the building and Truck 2 aerial at the front of the building. The Rescue unit is at the front and the Platoon Chief Stuart Smith and Engine 1 at the front.
Our thanks once again goes out to Chief Fitzgerald for sharing with us!
Have a great and fire safe weekend, all!
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Source: Facebook - London Fire Department, thanks to Carl Britan
