PAFF, Charles A.
November 9, 1949 Box No. 8664 sounded at 3:10 p.m. A field was afire at Glen and Key Avenues. Engine Co. No. 46 and Truck Co. No. 22 responded emergency conditions. The ladder truck was northbound on Park Heights Avenue and the engine was eastbound on Rogers Avenue. Patrolman John W. Stiegler, Northwestern District, stepped into the intersection with both hands above his head, waving down the engine to stop. At the last moment, when the engine bore down on him, he jumped out of the way, as evidently his signal was misunderstood. The two vehicles, both moving fast with sirens screaming, collided with such force that witnesses reported it sounded like a huge explosion. Four firemen were critically injured that day and ,tragically, four firemen were killed. The ladder truck careened into an iron trolley-wire support pole, which bent over crushing the driver, Fireman Joseph A. Remeikis, to death. Fireman Joseph B. Magaha was thrown to the street and killed. Acting Lieutenant Charles A Paff, who only moments before had been designated by Lt. Leo Curran to take charge, was hurled off the front seat of the engine and killed. Fireman James W. Haynie, riding on the back step, was hurled through the air and killed on impact with the pavement. Acting Lt. Charles August Paff, a veteran of WWI & WWII, was 56 years old and had served 25 years.
Listing Details
House
Baltimore City Fire Department
Age
57
Years of Service
25
County
BALTIMORE CITY
