Chester Toxic Fire of 1978

EMS William Richard, Teacher Margaret Johnson, Chief James Johnson

Today the History of Chester Course at Chester High School had two guest speakers. Lead Instructor of EMS Training at Crozer William Richard and Chester Fire Department Chief James Johnson came to speak about the Toxic Fire of 1978. Both men are survivors of the Toxic Fire of 1978. They lecture on the topic. The History of Chester Course is a new course this year offered as an elective through the Social Studies Department. The course is being taught by Social Studies Teacher Margaret Johnson who has been teaching at CHS for about 15 years. The newly compiled text, The History of African Americans in Chester, PA, was assisted in putting together by the Social Studies Department Teachers and Dr. Ife Williams of Del. County Community College; page 67 in the textbook referenced the Toxic Fire of 1978. So it is no wonder that the Guest Speakers and the course eventually came together for this occasion. 

Bill Richard an Emergency Medical Services staff at Crozer Medical Center at the time was a first responder on the scene at 2^nd and Flower Streets. The fire took place under the then new Commodore Barry Bridge the site of the new Soccer Stadium in Chester. Mr. Richard described the day of the fire, February 2, 1978, as “a day of accomplishment, a day of hope, and a day of infamy.”  Chief Johnson was also a first responder on the scene as a firefighter with the Chester Fire Department. 

First responders were not informed of all the chemicals on the site. Chemicals mixed together with cyanide, PCB’s, benzene, toluene, arsenic, chromium, and much more were dumped from barrels into the ground and into the Delaware River. As the responders responded to the fire, they had no HazMat gear because this gear was in use at the time. They had no equipment to protect themselves. Their bodies were consumed by these devastating chemicals which ate through rubber boots and clothing. Out of 200 responders, 20-25 survived. Chief Johnson reported that the residence in the area, the newspaper man, the milk man, and the mailman got cancer. The nurse, who treated some 47 victims at the Sacred Heart General Hospital now Community Hospital, was affected by the chemicals which were transported on the clothes of the responders. 

We were informed that the site was owned by Melvin Wade and used for a tire plant but the site was also being used for dumping chemicals. The site in Chester was compared to other chemical disasters in this country like Love Canal, Times Beach, and Taku Garden communities, all chemical disasters covered up. A number of companies were involved in the Wade chemical dumping. On the scene, all of the chemicals were on fire. They saw the dirt burning and the ground blowing up. In a 2002 FEMA report, Wade Dump was named the most toxic site. The laws about chemical storage have now changed because of the Wade Dump. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an eight part series called Beyond the Flames about the event. The book includes information and pictures of the Toxic Fire of 1978. While sharing some of the stories of responders who have now passed on, a student recognized one of the responders. “That’s my Pop Pop,” she yelled out in surprise. Rudell “Rudy” Hollis was her grandfather. He has since passed from the chemical exposure. The History of Chester course and the lecturers made a connection. They have bridged generations to make a deep and lasting effect on students. Thank you Mr. Richard and Chief Johnson for coming out to Chester High School to share your personal insights about the Toxic Fire of 1978 tragedy.           

           

For further information on the Toxic Fire of 1978, read Beyond the Flames online at:

http://inquirer.philly.com/specials/2000/fire/