Worcester Cold Storage Fire

December 3, 1999
The blaze seemed so non-threatening that firefighters didn't bother to put on their masks as they swept through the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse shortly after 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 3, 1999. Soon, all that would change. The building would quickly envelop the men inside with thick, boiling smoke, poisonous fumes and flames that would reach more than 3,000 degrees before the horrible night ended.

Six Worcester firefighters -- Lt. Thomas E. Spencer, Lt. James F. Lyons, Paul A. Brotherton, Jeremiah M. Lucey, Timothy P. Jackson and Joseph T. McGuirk -- never made it out alive. District Fire Chief Michael O. McNamee, who would later call the abandoned warehouse "the building from hell," said he had never seen conditions deteriorate so rapidly in 27 years on the job.

The fire had started earlier in the afternoon when a homeless couple, Julie Ann Barnes and Thomas Levesque, knocked over a candle during an argument. They ran out of the building when they couldn't put out the flames. They never reported the fire.

It took six days to extinguish the blaze, eight to locate the remains of all six men. The drama played out in front of a grieving city and nation. President Bill Clinton and more than 30,000 firefighters from around the country joined the city in a public memorial service at the Worcester Centrum.

Through the tears, the city seemed to gain strength and unity. Thousands lined the streets for the memorial service, standing silently as a sea of visiting firefighters marched by in their dress blues. A fund started by the Telegram & Gazette on the night of the blaze raised more than $6.5 million with contributions coming in from all over the world. The tragedy touched everyone.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• fire
• worcester
• cold
• storage
• firefighting
• hot
• inferno

[FIREMARK1965]

Haven't been on for a long time due to ill health, i heard a new fire station was built on the site of the fire in memory of the guys, nice one.

[fantasy32]

My uncle was one of the fallen heroes. Paul A. Brotherton. Miss him!! Thank you for this :)

[FIREMARK1965]

@fantasy32 I have the book about the fire, had me in tears, your welcome m8

[dwodno]

Worcester's 7th Hero can be seen at 2:59

Deputy Chief McNamee

 He said it was the hardest decision he has ever had to make, and one that has changed his life in fundamental ways. But it was a decision that also, in the assessment of his peers, saved many more lives. Other firefighters believe that if District Fire Chief McNamee had not given the order to evacuate the building when he did, another 20 firefighters might have perished.

[kimpossibleFF5]

Worcester and 35 other departments from springfield to boston helped to find the 6 missing firefighters. Firefighters from all across the world came to the memorial service. I go to worcester every year since 2001 ad pay my respects on Dec 3rd. Rest in peace Worcester Six.

[matredsoxfan]

Worcester lost another Firefighter Today.

[missbreezy211]

I will never forget this night. I was 6 at the time and lived near the fire and remember seeing it from my house.

[SuperRandylin]

From what I heard those firefighters lost their lives trying to find a homeless couple that were inside the builing. This couple had started the fire by sccident, and left the scene, fire fighters thought the couple was inside and all 6 died while trying to find the couple who fled the scene because they were afraid to get in trouble for tresspassing. That is a selfish act for this couple to do, Im very thankful for our fire fighters and very sorry for the families and children who r now hurting

[MrKwikKar]

I was 12 when this happened. Me and my fated actually stood in the parking lot with a few other bystanders and watched as the fire fighters went in. I'll never forget that night

[68Engine68]

@FIREMARK1965 Yeah, at 266 Franklin St Engines 6 and 12, Ladder 1, and Rescue 1.

[junoxtc]

i am from worcester and lived not too far from the fire when it happened (grafton st.). i was 19 at the time and actually saw the top of the building on fire when i was coming back from a friends wake. it was a terrible night and my heart goes out to all the familes of the fallen six. i have been to the sight every year on dec. 3 since 1999 and will do so as long as i live.

[fantasy32]

@Dreamflower6 Yeah, and no. I don't believe so. Not quite sure. I was acutally 7 or 6 around the time. So i really can't recall. but it was a terrible wake up call. Can tell ya that much.

[Dreamflower6]

@fantasy32  :( So sad. Did the firemen have open casket at the funeral?

[fantasy32]

@Dreamflower6 There weren't any windows really in the building. He died just of flames i guess. Brave, My uncle was. but definitely a hero :) <3 He drove Rescue 1 :) good man!