Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Fire – July 9, 1959

Looking back at the Charlotte Chemical Laboratories Explosion on July 9, 1959, that injured 11 firefighters. Below are research notes.  Contents News stories History book excerpt Recollections of George Greene Full Operational Reconstruction Part 1 – News Stories Transcription of news articles (PDF) Google drive of news articles Part 2 – Charlotte Fire Department History …

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Relocating Fire Station 3 – Opened

This is an ongoing blog posting about the project to relocate Raleigh Fire Station 3.  See photos of the construction and the completed building: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 Contents  Apr 2026 – Opened Apr 2026 – Furniture Move-In Apr 2026 – History Walk Apr 2026 – Artwork Installed Nov 2025 – Nearing Completion Feb 2025 …

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Digital Edition of Louisburg Fire Department History Book

Presenting a digital version of The Louisburg Fire Department: A History, a book by Al Peoples and Larry Peoples. It was self-published in 2012 and printed by SGA Publishing in Oxford, NC. The digital version was created by Mike Legeros in April 2026. There’s a wee bit of reformatting throughout. Plus a new addendum by …

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North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Ceremony – May 6, 2026

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the following names will be added to the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the annual ceremony in downtown Raleigh.  George T. Parham Gastonia Oct 10, 1953 Suffered a heart attack while assisting with station duties on the second floor of Station 1. He was given artificial respiration by other …

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Two Alarms on Shanda Drive – March 23, 2026

This is a placeholder posting for forthcoming information. See below links for now. Two alarms were struck on Shanda Drive in Raleigh on Monday, March 23.  See Legeros photos Watch Legeros videos – Clip 1 – Clip 2 Listen to radio traffic Read narrative notes, via Facebook Read a history of major working fires on …

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Fayetteville Firefighter David Sharp Died in the Line of Duty – March 17, 2000

Looking back at the line of duty death of Fayetteville Fire Department Engineer David C. Sharp II on Friday, March 17, 2000. Sharp died after the 1993 Pierce Arrow aerial tower he was driving was struck by a train at the Cumberland Street grade crossing between Orange and Ramsey streets, while returning from an automatic …

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Horry County Renumbering – April 1986

From South Carolina, memorandum of changes to Horry County fire stations and fire apparatus numbers, dated April 22, 1986. Original images at bottom. Here’s a transcription from ChatGPT: April 22, 1986 MEMORANDUM TO: All Personnel FROM: Hampton Shuping, Jr., Fire Chief/Coordinator RE: Change in Station Numbering System Effective Monday, May 5, 1986, at 0800 the …

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Eight People Killed by Lightning in Sampson County – July 12, 1961

Transcription of News and Observer story about eight people killed by lightning on July 12, 1961, in Sampson County, NC. Plus news photo from the Greensboro Record.  News and Observer, July 13, 1961 Lightning Kills Eight Near Clinton Bolt Hits Leaf Barn; Ninth Hurt By BILL WOMBLE. CLINTON — A single bolt of lightning flashed …

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Renovations at Raleigh Fire Station 7

See more photos by Mike Legeros March 18, 2026 Raleigh Fire Station 7 re-opened on November 25, 2025. Squad 7 returned to its quarters after eight month of temporary house with Engine 11 at Fire Station 11. The mini-pumper was moved back to Fire Station 7 some weeks later. It had been housed at Fire …

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Extra Alarms Fires in Raleigh – 1990 to 2025

Presenting a chart counting extra-alarm (structure) fires in Raleigh from 1990 to 2025. Scroll for source data and editorial comments. See more Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) charts and infographics in this blog post. Editorial Comments This data was hand-compiled by Mike Legeros, based on sources including news reports, RFD photo unit documentation, RFD media releases, …

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