PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s been 35 years since three Philadelphia firefighters died while battling a 12-alarm fire inside the Meridian Bank building in Center City, across the street from City Hall.
The fire ignited around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, 1991, caused by a pile of oil-soaked rags.
“They were doing renovations in the building and they were using a certain type of oil to wipe down the baseboards. … [The rags] were able to incinerate without any heap or spark because of the chemical that was used,” said Brian Anderson, a long-time firefighter and curator for the Fireman’s Hall Museum in Old City.
Three Black firefighters with Engine 11 — 52-year-old Capt. David Holcombe, 43-year-old Phyllis McAllister and 29-year-old James Chappell — got lost in the 38-story building, which had no sprinkler system.
“They were found in the stairwell, collapsed due to lack of oxygen or no air,” said Anderson.
Engine 11 was the city’s first firehouse to allow Black firefighters to serve. Anderson hopes the city remembers their sacrifices.
“These guys risk their lives every day, men and women going in to try to save life and prevent property damage,” Anderson said. “Honoring these members as we look upon this anniversary is something that should be known about the history of the city and the memory of these great members who gave everything to people they don’t know.”