Thanks to the Spokesman Review for their article this morning mentioning the Zukor Building and resulting fire on March 2, 1980. The news story mentions that "the building was destroyed in a 1980 blaze that also killed a firefighter." But the short mention is only a piece of the story... Robert Hanna (47 y/o) was the firefighter that was killed in the arson fire. He was the Captain on Ladder 7 and... had 22 years with the department. He lived with his wife, Carolyn, and had three sons. The fire remains an open investigation with the SFD.
Captain Hanna was one of 65 firefighters fighting the first four-alarm fire in thirty years in Spokane. The Zukor Building had been "fully involved" with fire when the first companies arrived. The firefight had de-escalated and in overhaul when the accident took place. Firefighter Bob Green and Captain Hanna were in the bucket of Ladder Tower 7 directing a water stream into the smoldering ruins when the front of the building collapsed, hitting them with heavy falling debris from above. Captain Hanna was hit by a piece of the cornice and fatally injured. Firefighter Green was hospitalized with severe back injuries. Captain Hanna was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital accompanied by his son, Firefighter Robert Hanna, where he died from his head injuries. Captain Hanna's son remains on the Department today and serves as a Deputy Chief. Bob Green also remains on the SFD as a Battalion Chief. Both men serve in leadership positions and represent the epitome of professionalism and commitment to the SFD's mission. Spokane lost a true hero on March 2, 1980 - That is the rest of the story.
Captain Hanna was one of 65 firefighters fighting the first four-alarm fire in thirty years in Spokane. The Zukor Building had been "fully involved" with fire when the first companies arrived. The firefight had de-escalated and in overhaul when the accident took place. Firefighter Bob Green and Captain Hanna were in the bucket of Ladder Tower 7 directing a water stream into the smoldering ruins when the front of the building collapsed, hitting them with heavy falling debris from above. Captain Hanna was hit by a piece of the cornice and fatally injured. Firefighter Green was hospitalized with severe back injuries. Captain Hanna was taken to Sacred Heart Hospital accompanied by his son, Firefighter Robert Hanna, where he died from his head injuries. Captain Hanna's son remains on the Department today and serves as a Deputy Chief. Bob Green also remains on the SFD as a Battalion Chief. Both men serve in leadership positions and represent the epitome of professionalism and commitment to the SFD's mission. Spokane lost a true hero on March 2, 1980 - That is the rest of the story.
You can read more on SFD's other Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) at http://www.spokanefire.org/departments/fallen/default.aspx
1 comment:
Thank you so much for sharing...Tina
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