John J. News, October 28th, 1954

On Thursday, October 28, 1954 at 6:07 AM, a local alarm was sounded for “fumes” in the vicinity of 1827-29 N. 5th Street, the Charles W. Berg Laboratories. Platoon “C” of Engine 2, Ladder 3, and Battalion 6 responded.

At 6:10 AM, an alarm was sounded on Box 2825, Germantown and Montgomery Avenues. The second alarm was sounded at 6:18 AM.

As strange as it may seem, there was no fire. Nevertheless, 10 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department lost their lives as a result of an explosion of a chemical tank that ruptured when internal pressures could not escape.

In this tragedy, the following members lost their lives:

Deputy Chief Thomas Kline of the 2nd Division, Battalion Chief John Magrann of the 3rd Battalion, Battalion Chief John News of the 6th Battalion, Fireman Joseph Bandos of Engine 2, Fireman James Tygh of Engine 29, all died on October 28, 1954, the day of the explosion.

Fireman Thomas Wilson of Engine 29, Lieutenant Charles Holtzman of Ladder 3, Fireman Joseph Vivian of Ladder 3, Fireman James Doyle of Engine 29, died the following day, October 29, 1954.

Fireman Bernard Junod died on November 3, 1954.

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John J. News, October 28th, 1954

On Thursday, October 28, 1954 at 6:07 AM, a local alarm was sounded for “fumes” in the vicinity of 1827-29 N. 5th Street, the Charles W. Berg Laboratories. Platoon “C” of Engine 2, Ladder 3, and Battalion 6 responded.

At 6:10 AM, an alarm was sounded on Box 2825, Germantown and Montgomery Avenues. The second alarm was sounded at 6:18 AM.

As strange as it may seem, there was no fire. Nevertheless, 10 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department lost their lives as a result of an explosion of a chemical tank that ruptured when internal pressures could not escape.

In this tragedy, the following members lost their lives:

Deputy Chief Thomas Kline of the 2nd Division, Battalion Chief John Magrann of the 3rd Battalion, Battalion Chief John News of the 6th Battalion, Fireman Joseph Bandos of Engine 2, Fireman James Tygh of Engine 29, all died on October 28, 1954, the day of the explosion.

Fireman Thomas Wilson of Engine 29, Lieutenant Charles Holtzman of Ladder 3, Fireman Joseph Vivian of Ladder 3, Fireman James Doyle of Engine 29, died the following day, October 29, 1954.

Fireman Bernard Junod died on November 3, 1954.

Career History

Appointed Hoseman Pipeline 2  - August 2, 1920

Promoted Lieutenant Pipeline 2  -  October 1, 1939

Promoted Captain Engine 32 - January 1, 1943

Promoted Battalion Chief F.M.O. - October 16, 1949

Transferred Battalion Chief 1st Battalion - November 16, 1949

Transferred Battalion Chief 6th Battalion -  November 23, 1953