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Thursday, January 23, 2025 marks 20 years since the tragic fires in the Bronx and in Brooklyn that came to be known as “Black Sunday.” The two fires claimed the lives of four FDNY firefighters and left three others seriously injured.
On January 23, 2005, six firefighters were forced to jump from a fourth-floor window after being trapped by fire in an illegally converted Bronx apartment. Lt. Curtis Meyran of Battalion 26 and Lt. John Bellew of Ladder Company 27 died that day from their injuries; Lt. Joseph DiBernardo of Rescue 3 succumbed to his injuries from this fire on November 22, 2011. Firefighters Jeff Cool, Eugene Stolowski, and Brendan Cawley suffered life-threatening injuries.
Also on January 23, 2005, Firefighter Richard T. Sclafani of Ladder Company 103 died while fighting a 2-alarm fire in East New York, Brooklyn. Sclafani was a 10-year veteran of the FDNY.
The FDNY Foundation joins the FDNY in honoring and remembering Lt. Meyran, Lt. Bellew, Lt. DiBernardo, and FF Sclafani.
The FDNY and FDNY Foundation will Never Forget the Supreme Sacrifice of our members 20 years ago.