Boston Firefighters
The Vendome Hotel Fire 47 years ago
Posted On: Jun 17, 2019

June 17, 1972 
Fire Lieutenant John E. Hanbury, 46 Ladder 13
Fire Lieutenant Thomas J. Carroll, 52 Engine 32 
Firefighter Richard B. Magee, 39 Engine 33
Firefighter Joseph F. Boucher, 28 Engine 22
Firefighter Paul J. Murphy, 36 Engine 32 
Firefighter John J. Jameson, 52 Engine 22 
Firefighter Charles E. Dolan, 47 Ladder 13
Firefighter Joseph P. Saniuk, 47 Ladder 13 
Firefighter Thomas W. Beckwith, 35 Engine 32

170 Commonwealth Avenue, 4 alarms Box 1571, (Dartmouth & Newbury Streets) “The Vendome Hotel Fire”

These nine members died when a rear portion of the Hotel Vendome, 170 Commonwealth Avenue which was under renovation collapsed without any warning. The fire was under control and firefighters were overhauling. Several other members were injured. It took over 10 hours to remove all the firefighters; The Maxim ladder truck of Ladder Co. 15 was extensively damaged also. 4 alarms Box 1571, Lieutenant Hanbury had 23 years, Lieutenant Carroll had 27 years, Firefighter Dolan had 25 years, Firefighter Saniuk had 24 years, Firefighter Jameson had 21 years, Firefighter Beckwith had 6 years, Firefighter Murphy had 5 years, Firefighter Magee had 4 years and Firefighter Boucher had 19 months of service. The alarms were sounded at 1435 hours at 1435 hours, the Working Fire was ordered at 1444 hours, the 2nd alarm at 1446 hours, the 3rd alarm at 1502 hours and the 4th alarm at 1506 hours. Two extra engines were ordered at 1552 hours and the collapse occurred at 1728 hours.


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