A Distant Fire: A History of FDNY Heroes

by Paul Hashagen

First printed in 1995, A Distant Fire captures the spirits of the pioneering men and the thrilling intensity of events that served as the foundation of the FDNY; the fearless ladder work of Battalion Chief Nash, the spectacular World Building fire of 1881, fought during a raging blizzard with gale force winds and watched by 5,000 spectators; phenomenal scaling ladder rescues, astounding rope rescues, and the first Borough Call in FDNY history, the creation of Rescue Company 1; the Ritz Tower explosion that took the lives of eight firemen, and the day in 1945 when a B-25 bomber crashed into the side of the Empire State Building. Over 100 rare photos and illustrations enhance the impact of these powerful stories. 348 pages.

Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2025