FDNY Commemorates the 42nd Anniversary of the 23rd Street Fire

Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, First Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Cruthers and Deputy Assistant Chief Richard Tobin laid a wreath to commemorate the 42nd Anniversary of the 23rd Street fire. Numerous active and retired members took part in the ceremony, including FF Brian Finley (far left) and retired Capt. Manny Fernandez (fourth from the right).

Firefighters, FDNY families and other members of the Department joined on October 17 for a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the 23rd Street fire.

The five-alarm fire on October 17, 1966, began in the Wonder Drug Store on the corner of 23rd Street and Broadway. It took the lives of 12 members, representing the single worst loss of New York City firefighters in the line of duty prior to September 11, 2001.

“We want to make certain that the memories of these 12 men are never forgotten,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.

Twelve members of every rank, from a probationary firefighter to a deputy chief, made the Supreme Sacrifice when the ground floor of the store collapsed. The fire originated in a storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinderblock wall illegally constructed by the building’s previous owner.

Numerous firefighters who operated at the 23rd Street fire or who worked with those who died attended the ceremony.

Those killed in the fire included Deputy Chief Thomas A. Reilly and Firefighter William F. McCarron, both of Division 3; Battalion Chief Walter J. Higgins of Battalion 7; Lieutenant Joseph Priore, Firefighter James V. Galanaugh, Firefighter Joseph Kelly, Firefighter Daniel L. Rey and Firefighter Bernard A. Tepper, all of Engine Company 18; and Lieutenant John J. Finley, Firefighter John G. Berry, Firefighter Rudolph F. Kaminsky and Firefighter Carl Lee, all of Ladder Company 7.

“These men did their job that night and they did it well,” said retired Captain Manuel Fernandez, who operated at the tragic fire when he was a firefighter at Engine 18. “We will always remember them and their families for the sacrifice they made. This is the greatest job in the world and we have wonderful men and women in this Department.”

Several other retired members who responded to the fire or worked with those who died attended the ceremony. They stood alongside dozens of active members as the 12 names were read and the wreath was placed beside the memorial plaque.

Among the members at the ceremony was Firefighter Brian Finley of Ladder 7. His grandfather was killed in the 23rd Street fire nearly seven years before he was born, but said he has been told by many that he was a “tough, but fair, lieutenant.”

He said he was honored that so many of his fellow firefighters took part in the ceremony.

“None of these [active members] knew the firefighters who died, but they are here to honor their memory. That’s what the Department is all about.”