Memorial Monday

Memorial Monday – Gulf Oil Refinery Fire (PA)

Memorial Monday

Memorial Monday – Gulf Oil Refinery Fire (PA)

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Incident Date:

August 17, 1975

Departments:

Philadelphia Fire Department (PA)

Number of Line-of-Duty Deaths:

8

Eight Philadelphia firefighters were killed in a fire and explosion at the Gulf Oil Refinery: John J. Andrews, Joseph R. Wiley, Roger T. Parker Jr., Hugh J. McIntrye, Robert J. Fisher, Ralph J. Campana, James J. Pouliot, and Carroll K. Brenek. The fire began when an 80,000-barrel tank ignited while being filled with oil from a tanker. The ship was not damaged, and the fire was brought under control; however, the facility’s sewage system failed to drain off oil that was spilled from the fire. Fumes backed up and it flashed followed by a first and second explosion. Within minutes the fire jumped to 11 alarms, calling in 600 firefighters. In the refinery at the time of the fire were crude oils, jet fuel and naptha.

Remembering

Fireman's Hall Museum - Gulf Oil Refinery Fire 45th Anniversary

More About Memorial Monday

Memorial Monday is established to remember the sacrifice of firefighters who died in the line of duty before the National Memorial was created in 1981. On the last Monday of every month, a firefighter, or groups of firefighters, will be remembered as we share information about these firefighters and their sacrifice.