Rolla L. Berg, July 23rd, 1961
On Sunday, July 23, 1961 at 1:03 AM, an alarm was sounded on Box 1563, 15th and Diamond Streets for a pot of meat fire located at the dwelling of Mrs. Toni Moore, 1526 W. Diamond Street.
Platoon “C” of Engine 2, while proceeding west on Norris Street was involved in an accident with an automobile driven by Clifford Shannon, at the intersection of 8th and Norris Streets. The apparatus was being driven by Firefighter Steven Krasowski, who was thrown into the building located at the southwest corner of 8th and Norris Streets, along with the vehicle.
Part of the front wall of the building collapsed, crushing the engine and the automobile. Firemen were thrown into the street.
Lieutenant Francis Jones, Relief Officer of Battalion 3, was badly injured, but finally reached the fire radio and immediately requested a Box Alarm to meet conditions. Box 2314, 9th and Norris Streets, was struck at 1:08 AM in answer to this call for help.
In an effort to rescue the three occupants of the badly crushed automobile, Firefighter Rolla Berg of Engine 2 was struck by a section of the wall that collapsed secondarily to the collision.
Firefighter Berg was removed by firemen and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was head trauma.
Other injured included: Lieutenant Francis Jones, Firefighter Thomas Gibbons, Firefighter Steven Krasowski, Firefighter Walter Long, and Firefighter George Henninger, all were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
In addition to the engine and the automobile, two other parked cars were also damaged when struck by the engine.
History will also show that Firefighter Berg had been the first firefighter injured at the explosion that occurred at 2nd and Diamond Streets on April 15, 1961. 31 were injured and 4 were killed.
Rolla L. Berg, July 23rd, 1961
On Sunday, July 23, 1961 at 1:03 AM, an alarm was sounded on Box 1563, 15th and Diamond Streets for a pot of meat fire located at the dwelling of Mrs. Toni Moore, 1526 W. Diamond Street.
Platoon “C” of Engine 2, while proceeding west on Norris Street was involved in an accident with an automobile driven by Clifford Shannon, at the intersection of 8th and Norris Streets. The apparatus was being driven by Firefighter Steven Krasowski, who was thrown into the building located at the southwest corner of 8th and Norris Streets, along with the vehicle.
Part of the front wall of the building collapsed, crushing the engine and the automobile. Firemen were thrown into the street.
Lieutenant Francis Jones, Relief Officer of Battalion 3, was badly injured, but finally reached the fire radio and immediately requested a Box Alarm to meet conditions. Box 2314, 9th and Norris Streets, was struck at 1:08 AM in answer to this call for help.
In an effort to rescue the three occupants of the badly crushed automobile, Firefighter Rolla Berg of Engine 2 was struck by a section of the wall that collapsed secondarily to the collision.
Firefighter Berg was removed by firemen and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death was head trauma.
Other injured included: Lieutenant Francis Jones, Firefighter Thomas Gibbons, Firefighter Steven Krasowski, Firefighter Walter Long, and Firefighter George Henninger, all were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
In addition to the engine and the automobile, two other parked cars were also damaged when struck by the engine.
History will also show that Firefighter Berg had been the first firefighter injured at the explosion that occurred at 2nd and Diamond Streets on April 15, 1961. 31 were injured and 4 were killed.
Career History
Appointed Hoseman Engine 33 - November 1, 1941
Transferred Hoseman Engine 2 - November 23, 1954