Our fallen hero

On Tuesday, August 31, 1971 at 8:02 PM, a Local Alarm was received at the Fire Alarm Room and immediately Box 1714, Conshohocken Avenue, east end of Country Club Road was struck for a fire located at the River Park House Apartment located at 3600 Conshohocken Avenue.

This was a 21-story building. The fire was located in a storage area in the basement. Several stretches of 1 ½ water line, as well as the sprinkler system, were used to extinguish the fire which involved various household furnishings. The fire was placed under control at 8:37 PM.

While assisting his company in fighting the fire, Captain Constantine Pietrak, Platoon “B” of Engine 35 collapsed from smoke inhalation. He was removed by Rescue 9 to West Park Hospital, Ford Road in Fairmount Park.  He was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Fejerdy at 9:15 PM.

Several other firemen were also sickened by the smoke, including Captain John Hannan of Ladder 4 (Acting Battalion Chief in the 11^th Battalion), and Lieutenant Seaman, Relief Officer of the 8^th Battalion who was working in Ladder 25, Lieutenant Taggart of Engine 16, and two other firemen from Engine 16, one from Engine 35, and two others from Ladder 25.

After returning to their stations, many firemen were taken to Philadelphia General Hospital.