Paul
A. MacMurray
August 27, 1994
The following is a summary of the incident and of the
commitment made by Paul A. "Orville" MacMurray.
Paul A. "Orville" MacMurray, an 11-year veteran of the Hudson
Falls Volunteer Fire Department, made the ultimate sacrifice at a fire in the
Parkview Hotel, a three story, 45-room edifice, on August 27, 1994.
This tragic tale of a true American hero begins at 1958 hours
on Saturday August 27, 1994. Paul, along with his wife, Esther, and three
children; Kristen 10, Angela 7, Katlyn 4, and others were celebrating one of the
girl's birthdays when the alarm of a fire was sounded by Washington County Fire
Control for "Box 22" the Parkview Hotel located at 140 Main Street in the
Village of Hudson Falls, NY.
Upon arriving on the scene at 2003 hours as part of the first
alarm assignment, Firefighter MacMurray, a member of Engine Co. 362, and
Firefighter Thomas Center, a member of Truck Co. 363, were detailed by Chief
John J. Santa Croce to conduct a primary search of the second floor of the
hotel.
Chief Santa Croce and Second Assistant Chief Paul M. Dietrich,
the first arriving officers on the scene, had sized up the situation and,
finding fire in the rear of the 95-year old structure, decided to institute
immediate primary search for occupants and aggressively attack the fire to
prevent the spread of the conflagration.
Firefighters MacMurray and Center, equipped with complete
turnout gear and wearing SCBA's, proceeded to the second floor to begin the
search and rescue operation. They encountered a light smoke condition described
as similar to a "food on the stove", with very little heat present. In a
professional manner, and using their many years of experience and training,
MacMurray and Center successfully removed several occupants and returned to the
second floor to continue the primary search.
As they climbed the stairway to the second floor and advanced
along the hallway, Paul and Tom encountered heavy thick smoke and a rapid
buildup of heat. As the situation got worse, building up to "flashover"
conditions, Firefighters MacMurray and Center made the decision to leave the
second floor. While they were retreating, flashover occurred and physical
contact was lost between the two. Firefighter Center had located the center
stairwell, realized that Paul was not with him and made a desperate attempt to
reestablish contact and guide Paul safely down the stairs. After searching as
long as conditions permitted, Tom descended the stairs and made contact with the
Firefighters on the first floor to advise them of the situation.
Immediately upon receiving word that Firefighter MacMurray was
down, a second search team tried to gain access to the second floor, but they
were driven back by the rapid moving inferno, and the decision was made by
command that an exterior entry be made. The building was laddered and an attempt
was made to gain access through the balcony. Again Firefighters were driven back
by the intense flames and heavy smoke. The orders passes at this time from
command to evacuate the building. All interior firefighters were withdrawn, and
the mode was shifted to defensive. The fire was spreading throughout the
structure with incredible speed.
The fire continued well into the early hours of Sunday, August
28, and heavy equipment was needed to continue the search for Firefighter
MacMurray. The body of Firefighter MacMurray was finally located at 1830 hours.
On Monday morning, August 29, 1994, an unemployed drifter and
two month resident of the Parkview Hotel, admitted to intentionally setting the
fire that resulted in the death of Firefighter Paul MacMurray. On Friday, March
1, 1995, the individual was sentenced to a maximum prison term of 25 years to
life for the arson and murder of Paul MacMurray.
Firefighter Paul A. MacMurray, who unselfishly answered his
final alarm on August 27, 1994, at the Parkview Hotel, is the epitome of the
volunteer fire service. Leaving his daughter's birthday party to answer the
alarm, he paid the ultimate price for his dedication to the citizens of Hudson
Falls. Donning an SCBA and entering a burning building on the floor above the
fire is a heroic act of bravery, the most dangerous situation that a Firefighter
will encounter. Paul did not hesitate to take this risk, and along with Tom
entered the building to aid the victims of this heinous disaster.
Paul A. MacMurray is truly an American hero
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DUTY
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HONOR
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COURAGE
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