Uncle Sam's Warriors

10/15/2026

The Boradaile on Cemetery Road. October 15th, 1984, 4th platoon.

Box 596 at 21:05hrs. Engines 1, 4, Truck 1, RS, M2 with special calls for Engines 5 & 2. OT at 02:50hrs.

Workers using a torch to remove paint. Fire smoldered for hours before being noticed.

10/14/2026

October 14th, 1954, at 22:56hrs 2-2-566 was transmitted for a fire at the Odd Fellows IOOF Hall building on 112th Street.

Fire was believed to have started in the rear portion of the grocery store which occupied the 1st floor, possibly in refrigeration equipment. Exceptionally heavy black smoke was pouring from a broken plate glass window upon arrival, and reportedly exploded into flames which shot across 112th Street as Bttn Chief William Smith and his men from Pumper 11 & Truck 1 pulled up.

Seven firemen were treated for injuries, including hosemen Fred Hanson and Lt. Edward Moore, both of Truck 1, Edward Driscoll of Truck 3, John Lavigne and William Roach of Pumper 11, James Sheeran of Pumper 4, and Don Christensen of Pumper 12.

The upper floors of the building which housed the IOOF facilities suffered mostly from heat, smoke and water damage.

Pumpers 11, 12, 4, 8, the Squad Co., Trucks 1 & 3, Bttn Chiefs William Smith & Joe Carey and Chief Carl Smith responded. The outtap was transmitted at 03:12hrs.
I'm pretty sure this is the Food Circus building.

This was the 3rd multiple alarm fire within 6 days in Lansingburgh.

The following day, the city was hit with a severe windstorm, with gusts up to 68mph from the remains of Hurricane Hazel. The dept. responded to 36 still, phone, and box alarms for wires and trees down and damage to buildings, although very little rain was reported.

10/14/2026

A tragic fire on today's date, Tuesday, October 13th, 1959, when 4 two story dwellings were wrecked in South Troy, which resulted in the death of a 3 year old girl, while forcing 7 families including 19 children into the street.

2-2-164 was transmitted at 02:29hrs for a fire burning across the back porches of 549, 551, 553 and 555 4th Street. Occupants of the buildings were crowding into the streets upon the arrival of Pumper 3 & Truck 2. Capt. Pat Cioffi of Truck 2 was informed of a missing 3 year old child, Sandra Duval of 555 4th Street. She had initially escaped the building with her mother, but for unknown reasons, she run back into her burning home. She was pulled from the building by Capt. Cioffi, sadly, burned beyond recognition.

The child was given Last Rites by Rev. Francis Melfe, one of the 4 priests who rushed to the scene from nearby St. Joseph's Church.

Several occupants were treated for smoke inhalation, and 9 firemen, including Bttn Chief Walt Liebach, Capt. Carl Larkin, hosemen Frank Kennedy, Don Kehn, Mike Kavanauh, Edward Murphy, Robert Fox, Don Millington and Frank Magnetto were all treated for various minor injuries.

Buildings at 557 and 559 were also damaged by smoke and water.

The fire was ruled arson, with 3 separate points of origin on the rear porches. All of the homes were covered with gasoline siding, which greatly increased the fire's quick extension.

Pumpers 3, 6, 1, 5, Squads 1 & 2 and Trucks 2 & 3 responded.
The outtap was transmitted at 06:55hrs.

10/13/2026

Wetting down operations the day after the massive fire at the Lance Merrill Building Supply Co. on River Street on October 3rd, 1971.

Recall members manned spare rigs and on duty companies rotated to the scene for 4 days until the fire was completely extinguished.

During this 4 day long period, some of the unattended hose lines had their brass couplings cut off and stolen.

Scanned from Kodachrome Color sides

10/12/2026

October 12th, 1963, 2-2-518 for a two story duplex at 806-808 River Street at 01:19hrs.

The fire began in the rear of George's Luncheonette and extended through both floors, also causing damage to 804 River Street.

Several families were left homeless, including the parents of Troy Police Sgt. Joseph Elgeiser. One family's pet dog "Blaze" perished in the fire.

Hosemen Edward Murphy of Squad 2 and Al West of Pumper 7, detailed to Pumper 4 were treated for injuries.

Pumpers 4, 8, 11, 12, 1, Trucks 1 & 3, Squads 2 & 1 responded. Bttn Chiefs Tom Nash & Russ Sheehan, and Chief William Smith commanded the troops. Pumper 5 went to HQ and Pumper 3 went to North Street and the OT was transmitted at 04:11hrs.

10/12/2026

October 12th, 1972

10/12/2026

Friday afternoon, October 11th, 1968, the 2nd platoon responded to 2-2-221 for a fire on the 3rd & 4th floors of 183 River Street, above the Chesman Furniture Store at 17:36hrs.

The fire spread across the 3rd & 4th floors of 181, 183, and 185 River Street and burned through the roof.

It was believed to have started in a 2nd floor elevator shaft on the Front Street side of 183 River Street and extended upwards & across to the other buildings. Significant damage was also done to the Peck Electrical Supply at 179 River St. and the Question Mark Nightclub at 187 River, which was undergoing some renovations.

Pumpers 1, 5, 3, 8, 11, Squads 1 & 2 and Trucks 3 & 2 responded with Bttn Chiefs Nash & Dixon, Dep. Chief Phoenix and Chief Zapf. 10 pumper lines and two aerial ladders were used.

The Chesman firm suffered heavy water damage and much of the stock on the upper floors was destroyed.

Pumper 12 covered at Pumper 11 and Pumper 6 covered at HQ with Truck 1. DPW crews were called in to assist in overhauling a huge pile of mattresses, box springs, rugs, rug padding and sofas that had been thrown out into a pile on Front Street.

The fire scene was reportedly packed with several hundred Friday afternoon shoppers. The outtap was transmitted at 21:55hrs.

Chesman's would suffer another fire in 1972, which destroyed most of the same buildings.

10/11/2026

🚨🚨Urgent Message From The Troy Firefighters🚨🚨
We've had 4 serious fires in the first 11 days of October.
The message is simple, and lifesaving.

Urgent Message,

💨 🚨🧯 PLEASE, take a moment, and CHECK your SMOKE DETECTORS! 💨 🚨🧯

We have seen a massive increase in fires throughout the city with missing, outdated or malfunctioning smoke detectors.

If you rent, they are required by your landlord.

Recommended 10 Yr Replacement
Some may be dual (Carbon Monoxide & Smoke)

-May have no batteries - just a recommended replacement date. (10Yr)

These should also be routinely checked according to manufacturer’s recommendations. (Or at least when you turn your clocks twice a year.)

If you need assistance or have questions, We are hosting the “Sound the Alarm” ‼️ on Tuesday October 28th, 3pm-7pm with the American Red Cross Eastern New York and Troy, NY - City Hall.

Troy Firefighters
New York State Professional Firefighters Association - NYSPFFA
International Association of Fire Fighters
Watervliet Arsenal Professional Firefighters Local F256
Watervliet Professional Firefighters Local 590
Albany Permanent Professional Firefighters Association Local 2007
Sidewinder Photography
Green Island Professional Firefighters Local 3418
Around Troy

10/11/2026

🚨 Updated the address & added some shots sent by Sidewinder Jeff.
The 4th platoon is operating with Engines 1, 4, 2, Trucks 1 & 2, RS and BC Shaw at 30-142, a 2.5 story frame at 768 2nd Ave.

Fire on the 1st floor venting out the rear, one line in operation. All occupants are out.

10/11/2026

Today on October 11th, 1928, During a fire prevention demonstration at Stanley's Dept. Store at State & 3rd, Fireman J. Kenneth Flinton of the Squad Co., lept from a 3rd floor window into a life net, while a crowd of hundreds watched, including his young wife and daughter.

When he landed, the net broke, he plunged through to the sidewalk, fracturing the base of his skull. He was rushed to Troy Hospital, where he died at 21:23hrs.

It had been noted, just prior to the jump, that the net about to be used, from Truck 3, had a defect. Truck 2 was special called from Box 52. This net, was in the form of a semi circle, it was attached to the side of the truck, and held by a dozen firemen.

Later investigations revealed that Truck 2's net had not been tested in 5 years. However, it was reported that firemen from Pumper 3 & Truck 2 had recently allowed neighborhood children to jump into the net from the hose tower, with the most recent being the day before.

It was thought that the net may have had dry rot, or had damage from the recent use by the children.