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| Photo: patersonfirehistory.com |
On May 7, 1934, Paterson firefighters John O'Neill of Engine 9 and Allen Saal of Truck 3 were fatally injured at a fire at the St. Bonaventure Lyceum and parish hall.
"Collapsing walls of the two and a half story brick structure caused all of the injuries," the Paterson Evening News reported. "When they fell they swept firemen from their ladders burying them and their companies on the ground under debris."
Eight other men were hurt, with John Murphy, the chief's driver, and John Colligan, a police patrolman, suffering serious injuries.
"Three ambulances, taxicabs and private automobiles carried the injured firemen to hospitals," the Evening News said.
O'Neill died May 8 at St. Joseph's Hospital from a fractured skull and internal injuries. Saal died May 9 at the Paterson General Hospital of internal injuries.
The fire at Box 413 - at Carlisle Avenue and Ramsey Street - went to three alarms.
