One Hundred Years Ago- Today:
It was 8 in the morning on January 6, 1915, when Manhattan fire alarm Box 570 was transmitted for a fire in the subway. Units rushed to Broadway and 53rd Street where they encountered a major fire and emergency.
A relatively small fire originated in a splicing chamber where numerous electric cables were collected. These cables were covered with inflammable insulating materials including combinations of cotton and tars. The fire was limited to these cables, but a thick, noxious and deadly smoke filled the subway tube for blocks. Arriving FDNY units, without the benefit of breathing protection, entered the smoke filled subway to locate the fire and remove the thousands of people stuck within the dark smoky subterranean tunnel.
As the fire burned, clouds of thick smoke laced with phosgene and chlorine gas filled the tracks and station. Thousands of rush hour passengers were choking and gasping for breath. Two trains were stalled in the tunnel between stations and firemen pressed into the deadly mixture in search of those trapped. Above, every effort was made to ventilate the tracks below. Gratings were removed along the sidewalks to help elevate the noxious smoke. A second alarm was transmitted and then 200 additional firemen, without apparatus were called to the scene.
Despite the best efforts of the firemen, a panic swept through many passengers only making matters worse. In all more than 200 people were rescued and hospitalized. One person died and dozens of firemen were overcome by the smoke.
Tomorrow: The FDNY’s answer to this new and deadly problem.