Raymond L. Bordier, April 15th, 1961
On Saturday, April 15, 1961, Platoon “C” of Engine 2, Ladder 3, and Battalion 6 responded to a Local Alarm at 9:03 AM for a fire in the cellar of a three-story brick Sunoco gasoline service station and apartment building located at 2100 N. 2nd Street.
At 9:05 AM, Box 1465, Hancock and Diamond was struck. As the companies arrived and began to go into service, at what appeared to be an ordinary fire, suddenly a violent explosion occurred, demolishing the building and damaging 65 other nearby buildings.
Many of the firemen were trapped in the burning debris. At 9:12 AM, the second and third alarms were sounded. Rescue operations began immediately. Fireman William J. Sieger, the Acting Lieutenant Engine 31, Firefighter Thomas J. Walsh Jr. of Engine 2, and Firefighter Raymond L. Bordier of Engine 6 (detailed to Engine 15) were found to have been killed in the explosion and building collapse.
32 other firemen were injured in this incident including: Lieutenant Joseph Madden of Engine 25, Lieutenant Charles Hagerty of Engine 2, Lieutenant Charles Gindele of Ladder 3, Firefighter Rolla Berg of Engine 2, Firefighter Walter Long of Engine 2, Firefighter John Macready of Engine 25, Firefighter George Henninger of Engine 2, Firefighter George Vogel and Firefighter James Fennerty of Ladder 7, Firefighter Joseph McDonald of Engine 25, Firefighter Daniel Pejack and Captain Arthur Grover of Engine 31, Firefighter Charles Canning and Firefighter Stephen Dreher of Ladder 3, Firefighter Edward Kinney of Ladder 3 (Detailed to Engine 25), Firefighter William Black of Engine 25, Lieutenant James Meskill and Firefighter Edward Wheeler of Ladder 3, Firefighter John Harkenson, Firefighter Robert Carroll, Firefighter Robert Smith, Firefighter Harry McDevitt, Firefighter Steven Krasowski, Firefighter Thomas Batcho, and Firefighter Herbert McWilliams.
Three civilians were also injured by the blast.
Lieutenant Robert J. Kennedy of the Fire Department Photo Lab, stationed at Engine 25 at the time of the alarm, proceeded to the scene. He managed to take some remarkable “before and after” photographs of the scene. When the explosion occurred, he heroically assisted in dragging many of the firemen to safety, including Lieutenant Charles Gindele of Ladder 3 who was unable to walk. Lieutenant Kennedy also suffered injuries as a result of this tragedy.
One month after the fire and explosion, Rescue 2 responded to 3020 Gaul Street, the home of Lieutenant Kennedy for a medical emergency. Lieutenant Kennedy was taken to St. Mary’s hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival (May 17, 1961).
The probable cause of this tragedy was determined to be the emission of gasoline fumes leaking from a defective underground tank. It is thought that the fumes came into contact with the pilot light of a gas hot water heater resulting in the explosion.
Raymond L. Bordier, April 15th, 1961
On Saturday, April 15, 1961, Platoon “C” of Engine 2, Ladder 3, and Battalion 6 responded to a Local Alarm at 9:03 AM for a fire in the cellar of a three-story brick Sunoco gasoline service station and apartment building located at 2100 N. 2nd Street.
At 9:05 AM, Box 1465, Hancock and Diamond was struck. As the companies arrived and began to go into service, at what appeared to be an ordinary fire, suddenly a violent explosion occurred, demolishing the building and damaging 65 other nearby buildings.
Many of the firemen were trapped in the burning debris. At 9:12 AM, the second and third alarms were sounded. Rescue operations began immediately. Fireman William J. Sieger, the Acting Lieutenant Engine 31, Firefighter Thomas J. Walsh Jr. of Engine 2, and Firefighter Raymond L. Bordier of Engine 6 (detailed to Engine 15) were found to have been killed in the explosion and building collapse.
32 other firemen were injured in this incident including: Lieutenant Joseph Madden of Engine 25, Lieutenant Charles Hagerty of Engine 2, Lieutenant Charles Gindele of Ladder 3, Firefighter Rolla Berg of Engine 2, Firefighter Walter Long of Engine 2, Firefighter John Macready of Engine 25, Firefighter George Henninger of Engine 2, Firefighter George Vogel and Firefighter James Fennerty of Ladder 7, Firefighter Joseph McDonald of Engine 25, Firefighter Daniel Pejack and Captain Arthur Grover of Engine 31, Firefighter Charles Canning and Firefighter Stephen Dreher of Ladder 3, Firefighter Edward Kinney of Ladder 3 (Detailed to Engine 25), Firefighter William Black of Engine 25, Lieutenant James Meskill and Firefighter Edward Wheeler of Ladder 3, Firefighter John Harkenson, Firefighter Robert Carroll, Firefighter Robert Smith, Firefighter Harry McDevitt, Firefighter Steven Krasowski, Firefighter Thomas Batcho, and Firefighter Herbert McWilliams.
Three civilians were also injured by the blast.
Lieutenant Robert J. Kennedy of the Fire Department Photo Lab, stationed at Engine 25 at the time of the alarm, proceeded to the scene. He managed to take some remarkable “before and after” photographs of the scene. When the explosion occurred, he heroically assisted in dragging many of the firemen to safety, including Lieutenant Charles Gindele of Ladder 3 who was unable to walk. Lieutenant Kennedy also suffered injuries as a result of this tragedy.
One month after the fire and explosion, Rescue 2 responded to 3020 Gaul Street, the home of Lieutenant Kennedy for a medical emergency. Lieutenant Kennedy was taken to St. Mary’s hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival (May 17, 1961).
The probable cause of this tragedy was determined to be the emission of gasoline fumes leaking from a defective underground tank. It is thought that the fumes came into contact with the pilot light of a gas hot water heater resulting in the explosion.
Career History
Appointed Fireman Fire School - April 4, 1960
Transferred Fireman Engine 6 - June 6, 1960