Company History - Explosion
On June 26, 1964 the history of the Marshalls Creek Fire Company along with the history of the Fire Service would forever be changed.
At 4:08 am Marshalls Creek Firemen we awakened to respond to a tractor trailer fire on Route 209 near the Snake and Animal Farm. As the firemen responded they had no idea what danger lay ahead. Upon their arrival they found the rear wheels of the tractor on fire. There were no placards or warnings on the trailer to warn of its contents. Shortly after the fire company’s arrival the trailer exploded killing 3 firemen and seriously wounding 2 others. Three civilians were also killed in the explosion, bringing the death toll to 6. The fire department also lost three trucks in the explosion. It was later discovered that the trailer was carrying dynamite and blasting caps. The driver had left the scene to place a phone call.
This tragedy was the beginning in a chain of events that would lead to the creation of the Department Of Transportation (DOT) Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). With the creation of the ERG changes were made that are still present today throughout the emergency services community.
We dedicate this page to the men and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice so that countless other lives could be saved.
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