On the night of February 12, 1942, two alarms were sounded for a fire at 286-288 Cambridge Street in the

West End of Boston. Upon arrival, Rescue 3 quickly located the source of the fire, the basement of a tire and battery shop. The fire was ignited by a faulty furnace. Burning tires and batteries stored in the basement, along with other equipment, created heavy, dense smoke and noxious fumes. Masked and pulling a light hose line, Firefighter Martin Callaghan, entered the basement through a small window and down a ladder. In addition to the tires and batteries, the cellar was stacked to the ceiling with various pieces of equipment. As he advanced towards the source of the fire, one of the stacks fell on him, knocking his mask off and pinning him to the ground. As he fought to free himself, he inhaled toxic fumes that rendered him unconcious. After being unable to contact Callaghan, Captain James Kennedy sent Firefighter Owen Coyne to investigate. Upon entering the cellar, Coyne quickly located the unconcious Callaghan, was able to free him and dragged him towards the ladder. At this point, with noxious fumes seeping into his masked and burned skin, Coyne was forced to abandon Callaghan. He climbed the ladder and after exiting through the window collapsed. Captain Kennedy then went down the ladder after Callaghan. He located Martin very close to the ladder and was able to drag him to the ladder and prop him against the ladder in a standing position. Weakened by the heavy smoke condition and toxic fumes, Kennedy was unable to carry Callaghan up the ladder so Kennedy went up the ladder to get a rope. He too, however, collapsed after exiting the building. Firefighter William Callaghan of Engine 10, grabbed the rope and climbed down the ladder after Martin. William Callaghan was able to attach the rope to Martin before being forced to leave the cellar whereupon he also collapsed. Note: There are conflicting reports if William Callaghan was the brother of Martin. A Boston Daily Record article, published the day after the fire, stated that William and Martin were brothers. However, a feature story done in the Boston Traveler in 1954 indicated that they were not related. More family research needed here.

As other firefighters began pulling on the rope to hoist Martin Callaghan to safety, the line would not budge. Firefighter Patrick Murphy of Engine 35 climbed down the ladder to seek the problem. Murphy found Callaghan on the floor behind the ladder. At this point, fire was surrounding both men. The heat was so intense, the ladder was burning. Water poured on the men had little effect as leaking heating oil was also burning. After several attempts, with time running out, Murphy was able to position Callaghan on the ladder. Murphy then grabbed onto Callaghans back. Both unconsious men were pulled from the basement and Murphys Grip had to pried from Callaghan. In all, five firefighters were sent to the hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. Martin Callaghan was the most seriously injured and reportedly lingered near death for several days. For their heroic actions that day, Captain James Kennedy, along with Firefighters, William Callaghan, Owen Coyne, and Patrick Murphy were named to the Boston Fire Departments Roll of Merit. In addition to the articles linked above, the Boston Globe covered the fire in an article published on February 13, 1942. The Tradition Continued Martin A. Callaghan had three sons who also served on the Boston Fire Department. Thomas J. Callaghan was appointed on January 6, 1954 and retired January 31, 1992. In 1964, Tom was placed on the Boston Fire Departments Roll of Merit for his actions on July 10, 1964. As a member of Engine 22, he rescued a 13 month old infant trapped on the fourth floor with smoke showing at 182 West Brookline Ave. Paul Callaghan was appointed on April 3, 1957 and retired on July 31, 1993. Paul worked through the ranks of the Boston Fire Department to retire with the rank of Deputy Chief. There is some outstanding video of Deputy Callaghan in command at a 9-Alarm fire and place crash on Lonsdale Street,on June 26, 1987 here (at about the 3:40 mark and later) and here (aftermath). William M. Callaghan was appointed on September 4, 1963 and retired on July 5, 1995. In 1966, Bill was placed on the Boston Fire Departments Roll of Merit his actions at a 3for Alarm fire on March 12, 1966. He and another firefighter from Ladder 14 recused a man from the second floor on Glenville Avenue in Brighton despite the severe heat, smoke and fire that surrounded them.