Two Teens May Have Accidentally Set Fatal Hardware Store Fire
New York, N.Y.-The hardware store fire that killed three FDNY firefighters may have been set by two teens who accidentally knocked over a can of gasoline.
According to the Associated Press, the boys, aged 15 and 13, were playing outside of the Long Island General Supply Co. when they knocked over the gas can. After the gas spilled, the boys ran back to the 15 year old’s home. His father accompanied them back to the scene and tried to put the fire out with water before calling 911. Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen says that a water heater may have ignited the gas fumes after the gasoline ran down a ramp and under a rear door.
Three firefighter deaths are attributed to the incident. Firefighters Harry Ford and John Downing were killed when the hardware store’s facade collapsed and crashed upon them as they were venting windows in the front of the structure. Firefighter Brian Fahey was killed as he operated inside the building. Paint cans and propane cylinders exploded, causing the floor to give way. Fahey fell into the basement where he remained for several hours.
The business had permits to store paints and lacquers, but while no permits are required to store one-pound propane gas cylinders, they are required to be stored above ground. Boxes of these cylinders were found in the basement of the structure, and the business will likely be fined.
