It is a terribly sad day in history as Buffalo Firefighters and residents remember the horrific propane explosion that killed seven, including five firefighters.
On December 27, 1983 at 8:23 p.m., Buffalo firefighters were called to a North Division Street warehouse. Inside the building was a leaking, 500-pound propane tank that fell off a forklift as an employee tried to move it. The tank sparked the deadly blast felt across parts of the city.
The was a massive explosion – caused by propane stored illegally in a warehouse –Â leveled a four story building and devastated a 16-block area.
Firefighters Michael Catanzaro, Mike Austin, Tony Waszkielewicz, Red Lickfeld, and Matty Colpoys died in the explosion along with two civilians.
There is now a memorial at fire call box 191 at the intersection of where the tragedy occurred. Each year on December 27, at 8:23 p.m., the Fire Department rings out the alarm 1-9-1 to honor the five firefighters of Ladder 5.
We remember the fallen on this day – 34 years later.
(Photo courtesy: Buffalo Fire Department)
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