Remembering Black Sunday Firefighters
Today marks the anniversary of the devastating Black Sunday fires in 2005, which killed or severely injured seven members of the FDNY. First, Brooklyn firefighter Richard Sclafani died when overcome by smoke at a private house fire. On that same day, five firefighters and a lieutenant became trapped in a Bronx apartment that was consumed by flames and were forced to jump five stories from a top-floor window to avoid being burned to death. Lt. Curtis Meyran and Firefighter John Bellew were killed upon impact with the ground. Firefighter Joseph DiBernardo was severely hurt and died six years later from the physical and psychological toll of his injuries. Firefighters Gene Stolowski, Jeff Cool and Brendan Cawley survived the tragedy, but continue to suffer from life-changing and permanent injuries.
Today we remember the sacrifice and heroism of those who perished and those who were so severely injured.
They and their families will never be forgotten.