Our fallen hero

On Friday, January 9, 2004 at 06:26 AM, Box 4465 9^th Street & Lindly Avenue was struck for a dwelling fire at 932 W. Lindly Avenue. When Engine 72 arrived, Lieutenant Harvey reported that he had light smoke coming from a two-story 16’ x 45’ dwelling. He placed 1 & 1 in service.

The members of Engine 72 stretched a 1 ¾” water line to the building. Lieutenant Harvey reported to Battalion 2 (the incident commander) that the fire was in the basement. Engine 51 went to the rear and was able to make entry to the basement through a ground-level door.

They encountered heavy debris and stacked appliances which hampered their advance on the fire. As the men of Engine 72 made their way across the living room to the basement stairs, they reported that the floor was very hot and spongy. They took up a defensive position at the basement stairs.

Lieutenant Harvey left the building to talk to the Captain of Ladder 29. After their conversation, Lieutenant Harvey left the Captain and joined his company at the head of the basement stairs. The first floor was charged with heavy smoke, there was no visibility.

At 06:43 AM, Lieutenant Harvey received a radio message from the incident commander telling him to hold his position and to ventilate the first floor. Lieutenant Harvey then went to leave the dwelling when he tripped and stumbled toward the front door. Fourteen seconds later he pushed the emergency button on his radio, but did not talk.

After a short time of being unable to locate their Lieutenant, the members of Engine 72 contacted the incident commander and told him of the situation. The incident commander deployed the Rapid Intervention Team to search for him.

Lieutenant Harvey was found at 07:01 AM in the living room with one leg through a hole in the floor. Lieutenant Harvey was taken to the hospital where he died on January 15th, seven days after the fire.