Our fallen hero

On Tuesday, January 27, 1998 at 2:44 PM, a civilian walked into Engine 27’s station to report a structure fire which was about a block away. FCC (dispatch) was notified and Tactical box 7871, 19^th & Jefferson Streets was transmitted.

Engine 27, Battalion 3 and Medic 13 arrived on scene at the same time. Engine 27 stretched a 1 ¾” water line to the dwelling. They were blocked from entering by an occupant. The Police had to be called to remove this person so Engine 27 could advance their line. Battalion 3 reported to FCC that all occupants were out of the dwelling and there was heavy fire on the second-floor front with heavy smoke on the third floor. The address of the fire was 1524 N. Garnett Street.

Ladder 1 arrived on location at 2:49 PM, but had to park on the corner, due to illegally parked cars, and carry their ladders to the dwelling. Three firefighters carried the 35’ ladder to the front of the dwelling and raised it.

Lieutenant Murphy grabbed the 16’ ladder and carried it to the dwelling. He raised it to the second-floor middle room and broke out the window. He then entered the building through this window. Two members from Ladder 14 followed him in. These firefighters immediately removed the door between the front and middle bedrooms.

Lieutenant Murphy was kneeling near the window that he had just entered. He told the other two Ladder 14 members to finish opening up the second floor then check the third floor. After approximately five minutes the two men returned and found Lt. Murphy unconscious and not breathing in the same spot they left him.

They started CPR and called for help. Lieutenant Murphy was then taken out of the building where Medic 13 was waiting. CPR continued while he was transported to the hospital. He regained a pulse at the hospital and was admitted. Unfortunately, his condition was so severe that he never regained consciousness.

Lieutenant Stephen Murphy died at 06:14 AM on February 3, 1998. The cause of his death was determined to be a massive heart attack.