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| LAFD Station 33 circa 1972 |
In the days that would follow, Los Angeles Fireman Paul 'Randy' Widrig would be remembered as a man who "...knew and did more, always to the best of his ability, helping people in need."
Fire Department Chaplain James Dayen would later eulogize Randy's colleague, Fireman Theodore A. Currie as "a portrait of a fireman... in spirit, loyalty and dedication with the gift of inspiration."
The pair of hard-working civil servants however, didn't stand a chance as both arsonists and attackers - who remain at large - sealed their fate in one of the most troubling nights in Los Angeles Fire Department history.
Los Angeles Firefighters would feel the impact of the greater alarm blaze for decades to come, as they struggled to support Widrig's young widow and orphaned infant, as well as Currie's widow and three young sons.
Bystanders Harass Rescue While . . .Arson Fire Kills Two City Firefighters
On the evening of February 22, 1972, two firefighters died in a greater alarm blaze in South Central Los Angeles. Firefighters Theodore Currie, 34, a ten year veteran and Paul Widrig, 24, with 18 months service, were killed when a mezzanine floor collapsed and buried them under four to five feet of debris. The coroner's office announced their deaths were due to suffocation.
The building, a large one story 150-by-75 foot warehouse was well involved with fire when the first of thirteen fire companies arrived shortly before midnight.
The victims were among four fire fighters from Fire Station 33 who entered the rear of the structure with a 2 1/2" inch hose line in an effort to cut the advance of the fire. The other two men, Capt. Sam Diannitto (former Vice-President of Local 112) and Fireman Otto McClung narrowly escaped without injury.
It took fire fighters over an hour of grueling work to recover the bodies of their comrades. Heat from the flames was so intense that it collapsed steel trusses in the building and buckled walls which further hampered rescue attempts.
ARSON AND HARASSMENT
Investigators said that the fire was deliberately set after the building had been burglarized. During rescue attempts, firefighters were attacked with rocks and bottles hurled by a militant group which gathered at the scene.
RITES HELD
In separate memorial services on February 25, 1972, Los Angeles City Firefighters honored their two fallen colleagues killed in the performance of their duties.
A morning service was conducted for Theodore Currie in Downey with approximately 500 mourners in attendance. Currie is survived by his widow Geraldine, and three sons. Steven 15; Craig 13, and Kent 11.
Afternoon services were held for Paul Widrig in Newhall. Widrig is survived by his 19 year old widow Deborah and an infant son. Also Widrig's father, Clyde, a retired policeman, and a brother, Clyde Jr., presently a Los Angeles Policeman.
To learn more about our Brothers Widrig and Currie, and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to the City, we encourage you to visit the Los Angeles Fire Department Museuem and Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood.
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
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