City hails 8 firemen who died at refinery

It was an inferno that longtime firefighters and city residents will never forget.

It was more than 31 years ago when vapors from a 75,000-gallon Gulf Refinery tank, filled with a lethal mix of crude oil and naphtha fuel, seeped into the boiler house and ignited the deadly fire that would lead to the deaths of eight firemen and cause severe injuries to many more.

Those eight - John Andrews, 49; Ralph J. Campana, 42; Robert J. Fisher, 43; Hugh McIntyre, 52; Roger T. Parker Jr., 28; Joseph R. Wiley, 33; Carroll K. Brenek, 33; and Lt. James J. Pouliot, 36 - were immortalized during a plaque ceremony yesterday at the Fireman's Hall Museum, 147 N. 2nd St.

Six of the men died at the scene on Aug. 17, 1975. Pouliot died on Aug. 26 at St. Agnes Hospital's Burn Center, and Brenek succumbed there five days later.

Eight plaques were unveiled at the entrance to the museum, while fire officials and politicians gathered to remember that fateful day and to honor the eight men as heroes.

"This is an historic day, but it's most important for the family" of these firemen, said Brian McBride, president of Firefighters Local 22.

He was joined by Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, former commissioner Joe Rizzo, Managing Director Loree D. Jones, Republican mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger and City Councilman Jack Kelly.

"Saving property from fire took their lives," McBride said. "These were brave men, angels, fighting at the mouth of hell."

That is a fitting description for the blaze that all but consumed the Gulf Refinery. The conflagration eventually went to 11 alarms, and when the firefighters believed it was under control, the unthinkable happened.

The naphtha tank burst into flames, shooting an enormous fireball into the sky. The force of blast was described as "atomic" by firemen on the scene.

In all, Engines 20, 33, 49, 56 and 57 joined Ladders 19 and 27 to fight the fire.

Rizzo, whose brother, then-mayor Frank Rizzo, broke his leg on the firegrounds, put out the call on the fire radio that no fireman wants to hear: "Fireman on fire."

"When we came in, the fire was already in progress, and they had the Police Department take us down to relieve the crew," said retired fireman David Schoolfield, who suffered third-degree burns while battling the blaze as a rookie.

"As time went by, the foam was thinning out, and the fire started spreading more. I went running back in, and as I proceeded in . . . I just saw the other guys running around and I couldn't get to them.

"When I went to turn around and run out myself, I broke the foam and I went up [in flames]. That's how I was burned over 24 percent of my body. The only reason I didn't get killed, probably, is because I still had my coat on."

Schoolfield had gotten to know Brenek when both did tours in Engine 57, and yesterday's ceremony was bittersweet for him.

As it was for Commissioner Ayers, who delivered a powerful and poignant eulogy.

Ayers paused a number of times to compose himself as he addressed the gathered families of the fallen firemen.

Ayers said the memory of that fire and of the dead will forever haunt his memories.

"These eight are not to be remembered by the numbers of that day," Ayers said. "They lost their lives in the middle of acts of heroism."

Each of the fallen firemen was married and had small children.

"Ralph made a reputation for himself; he was the bee in everyone's bonnet," said Campana's widow, Lois. "He wasn't satisfied with the status quo. Now, Ralph and his fellow firemen will be remembered forever."

Parker's widow, Susan, echoed Lois' sentiment.

"Roger was a fun-loving guy, one who would cheer up the guys in the worst circumstances," she said. "I just remember the type of person he was. Firefighting was his passion, and we're all so proud of him."

Philanthropist Kal Rudman was the citizen sponsor of this plaque ceremony, and announced scholarships for the children of the fallen firemen.

For more information on the hero plaque program, contact attorney James Binns at 215-275-3000. *