PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Firefighters and their families gathered at the Fireman’s Hall Museum in Old City to honor those who died in the devastating Gulf Oil refinery fire on the Schuylkill River 50 years ago.
The fire at the Girard Point Gulf Oil Refinery burned for more than 24 hours on Aug. 17, 1975, killing eight firefighters and injuring 15 others. More than 600 firefighters responded to the 11-alarm blaze, remembered as one of the most devastating in modern state history.
David Schoolfield was there that day and said it changed his life forever.
“The only living survivor, yes, with burns over 26 percent of my body,” said Schoolfield.
Brothers in arms like Gary Cothran were by his side on the front line.
“I was there with him when the whole street erupted, and he slid in, and we had to pull him out. It’s good to see that he’s still here and I’m still here,” said Cothran.
Firefighter Brian Anderson, curator of the Fireman’s Hall Museum, organized the remembrance ceremony, organized the event detailing the day moment by moment.
“Just reminding the families that even though they sacrificed their family members that their legacy will continue to be told,” said Anderson.
Veteran firefighter Elvin Ross said the disaster marked a turning point for the department.
“We’d been pretty lucky before that, and this time we weren’t so lucky,” Ross said.
Plaques honoring the fallen were repolished and rededicated outside the museum as families, survivors, and firefighters reflected on the tragedy.