James W. Blackmore

Along with other firefighters, Lieutenant Blackmore and Captain LaPiedra were conducting a search on the second floor of a commercial/residential structure. A civilian fire victim had been reported to be trapped in the area. Without warning, the second floor collapsed into the fire area on the first floor, trapping firefighters in a live fire on the first floor. Two firefighters died and four were seriously injured. The civilian fire victim had escaped through a back entrance. Lieutenant Blackmore was pronounced dead at the hospital after being recovered by other firefighters, the cause of death was crushing trauma and burns resulting in a heart attack. Captain LaPiedra suffered severe burns (70%) and died on July 4, 1998, the cause of death was thermal burns resulting in cardiac arrest. More information related to this incident is available in NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation 98-F-17.