Without talking about the many dysfunctional issues of the Dept. Real shame about what happened.

Date/Time: Monday, April 9, 2012, 3:13 am
Address: Front and York sts
Municipality: City of Philadelphia
County; Philadelphia, PA
Box: 361
Submitter: Ron Trout/PFN STAFF
Details:
Engine 2 was orignally dispatched for rubbish fire. They arrived on scene to fire showing from the first and second floors of a six story building requested the box struck. Engine-2 then reported heavy fire through out and the second alarm struck. All compaines were placed in with heaviest waterlines. A total of 5 Alarms were struck and fire spread to the exposure buildings and houses by wind swept embers and radiant heat.

Update: 0900hrs 4/9/12
A collapsed of one of the exposure buildings occurred and several firefighters had became trapped. Two firefighter were killed in the collapse and several other injured.

Update: 11:00hrs 4/9/12
A Total of three firefighters were transported to the hospital for various injuries and two others perished. The fallen firefighters are Lt. Robert Neary, 60, and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, 25. Both from Ladder Co. 10 which is stationed with Engine 7 and Battalion 10.

Update from IAFF Local 22: 0100hrs 4/9/12
To Our Friends and Colleagues:

It is with heavy hearts that we must inform you of the tragic deaths of two of our own, Lt. Robert Neary and FF Daniel Sweeney, assigned to Ladder 10 on the C platoon, who died in the line of duty in the early morning hours of Monday, April 9th while battling a 5-alarm warehouse inferno in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

Lt. Robert Neary had 38 years on the department. He has been a Lieutenant since 1983. He was awarded four unit citations in his career. Before joining the fire department he was a Philadelphia Police officer for 3 years and He Was an Army reservist for 10 years attaining the rank on Sgt 1st class. Lt. Robert Neary leaves behind his wife Diane and their three children.

FF Daniel Sweeney followed his father, Captain David Sweeney (ret.), footsteps and joined the Philadelphia Fire Department in July of 2006. He has been stationed at Ladder 10 since 2007. Daniel has been awarded two unit citations in his career. Daniel was the loving son of his parents David and Marian Sweeney

IAFF Local 22 will soon be announcing ways you can help to support the families of our fallen brothers in their time of need.

This fierce, wind-driven warehouse fire also seriously injured two other firefighters, FF Francis Chaney and FF Patrick Nally. Both members are currently in being treated at Temple University Hospital. FF Nally is a five year veteran and is currently in critical but stable condition FF Chaney is an 8 year veteran of the PFD and is currently admitted in stable condition and is currently admitted for observation.

Please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers. We will update you further as more details emerge. We thank you for your compassion and support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Bill Gault
President
IAFF Local 22

Update on Injured Firefighters: 0100hrs 4/9/12
Status Update of 2 FFs injured in this morning five alarm fire. FF Patrick Nally has been treated and released, the other, FF Francis Chaney is in Temple’s ICU in Critical but Stable Condition.