Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today dedicated two memorial plaques in honor of Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran and Lieutenant John G. Bellew at the quarters of Engine Company 46 and Ladder Company 27 in the Bronx. Lieutenants Meyran and Bellew were killed in the line of duty on January 23, 2005 while battling a third-alarm fire in a an apartment building at 236 East 178th Street in the Tremont section of the Bronx.

The deaths of Lieutenants Meyran and Bellew, along with the death of Firefighter Richard T. Sclafani in Brooklyn, marked the largest loss of life in a single day for the Fire Department since September 11, 2001. The Mayor and Fire Commissioner were joined at the dedication ceremony by members of the Meyran and Bellew families, FDNY officials, as well as firefighters assigned to Meyran and Bellew's firehouse.

"Every day, firefighters risk their lives for people they've never met," said Mayor Bloomberg. "January 23rd was no different. Lieutenants Meyran and Bellew responded to the call for help and valiantly gave their lives. Today and every day, we honor their sacrifice and cherish their memory. This plaque makes permanent what we already know: Curt and John died heroically in the line of duty so that others might live."

"Curtis Meyran and John Bellew are the definition of courage," said Commissioner Scoppetta. "This plaque dedication is just one way that we pay respect to our lost firefighters. It is our way of reaffirming a commitment that we will never forget our fallen members and their families."

On January 23, 2005, Lieutenant Meyran and then Firefighter Bellew, along with four other firefighters from Ladder Company 27 and Rescue Company 3, responded to a report of trapped occupants in the rear of the fourth floor of the fire building. While searching for victims, all six firefighters became trapped above the fire and were forced to jump from the fourth floor's rear windows. Meyran and Bellew were transported to St. Barnabas Hospital where both succumbed to their injuries. Although the four other firefighters survived, each sustained critical, life-threatening injuries.

Lieutenant Curtis W. Meyran, age 46, was a 15-year veteran of the Fire Department. He was appointed on November 12, 1989 and at the time of his death was assigned to Battalion 26 in the Bronx. During his career, he was cited twice for bravery: in 1991 while working at Ladder Company 161 and in 1997 while assigned to Ladder Company 123. Both units are in Brooklyn. Lieutenant Meyran was a resident of Malverne, Long Island and is survived by his wife, Jeanette, and their son, Dennis and daughters Danine and Angela.

Lieutenant John G. Bellew, age 37, was a 10-year veteran of the Fire Department. He was appointed on July 17, 1994. During his career he also worked at Ladder Company 10 and Engine Company 23, both in Manhattan. Bellew was a resident of Pearl River in Rockland County and is survived by his wife, Eileen, and their daughters, Brielle and Katreana, and sons, Jack and Kieran.

On April 1, 2005, Fire Commissioner Scoppetta posthumously promoted Firefighter Bellew to the rank of Lieutenant. Bellew had passed the civil service test for Lieutenant in May 2002. At the time of his death, he was on the civil service list for promotion, and would have been promoted in less than two months.