Media

On March 13, 2004, at approximately 0830 a fire was reported at the Ebenezer Church in the Hill district of the City of Pittsburgh. On arrival, crews found a smoke haze in the building and worked to find the source of the fire. As conditions worsened, crews advanced attack lines into the structure after realizing the fire had originated in the basement area. The fire moved quickly throughout the building creating a large backdraft explosion injuring 5 firefighters. Crews were pulled from the building and defensive operations were taken. After the main body of fire was extinguished, crews were in the process of placing hoselines and ground monitors into closer positions to hit the seat of the fire that had fallen into the basement. Without warning, the bell tower steeple collapsed trapping dozens of firefighters and completely burying 2 firefighters. Firefighter Richard Stefanakis and Battalion Chief Charles Brace were killed in the collapse. Their bodies were recovered from the rubble pile by Pittsburgh firefighters. The fire killed 2 firefighters and injured 28.

All photos by David Novak

As fire consumes the church roof, Safety Chief Charles Brace, (first white helmet from the left), observes operations trying to keep Pittsburgh firefighters safe during this dangerous fire.		The fire continues to consume the church roof and Pittsburgh fire crews attempt to extinguish the fire.
Heavy fire erupts from the roof of the historic Ebenezer Baptist church as Incident Commander Deputy Chief David Manfredo (center white helmet) directs crews in operations. Manfredo was seriously injured when the bell tower steeple collapsed striking him with bricks and debris.		Immediately after the steeple collapse, Pittsburgh firefighters rush to the aid of their fallen comrades. In the lower left, Deputy Chief David Manfredo, who was the fireground Incident Commander, is seen lying unconscious after being struck by falling bricks and debris. He was one of the more seriously injured firefighters and had to undergo facial surgery.
Pittsburgh firefighters tend to another fallen comrade that was buried in exterior bricks and debris.		This is the view of the Ebenezer church after the bell tower had collapsed killing 2 firefighters and injuring 28.
This is a view of the Ebenezer church several minutes before the collapse of the bell tower.