IN THE :LINE OF DUTY
February 23, 1991
The ONE Meridian Plaza blaze killed three firefighters as it consumed the upper floors of a skyscraper right next to City Hall.
The 12-alarm fire burned uncontrolled for nearly 20 hours. Three firefighters were killed - their bodies found on the 28th floor.
In addition to the three fatalities, the fire injured 24 firefighters. The 12 alarms brought 51 engine companies, 15 ladder companies, 11 specialized units, and more than 300 firefighters to the scene.
The three firefighters killed were Captain David P. Holcombe age 52, a 28 year veteran, Firefighter Phyllis McAllister age 43, a 10 year veteran and Firefighter James A. Chappell age 29, a 4 year veteran.
Funeral services for James Chappell were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 50th Street and Woodland Avenue.
Chappell, 28, a West Philadelphia native, was one of three city firefighters killed Saturday night in the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridian Plaza.
Firefighter Bruce Padgett went through Fire Academy training with Chappell. "We became friends on the very first day of class in April 1987, graduating together in June. As fate would have it, we were both assigned to Engine 11, both serving in different platoons," Padgett said.
Chappell's platoon was on duty Saturday when the blaze broke out at One Meridian Plaza. Padgett had the day off, but was called in on overtime as one alarm after another was sounded at the Center City high-rise.
Padgett was fighting the blaze on the 24th floor, then took a break, working his way down to the 20th-floor staging area. "At that point, firemen were carrying down something, but we weren't sure what," Padgett recalled.
Later he was shocked to learn it was the bodies of the three fallen firefighters from his station. Padgett today will drive the fire engine which will carry Chappell's casket to Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Chappell was the youngest child of the late Jerry Chappell and Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff of Philadelphia.
"James was a compassionate, loving and selfless man who throughout his entire life gave more of himself than was ever returned to him," said a cousin, Rita Chappell. "His entire life, though brief, was one of outreach, public service and dedication to family."
On the very morning he died, James Chappell had realized the dream of a lifetime. "He made a down payment for his own home, a house in Olney. But by the end of the day, James was gone," said Clarence Whitfield, a friend since kindergarten days.
Whitfield, a firefighter at Engine 68 in Southwest Philadelphia, attended classes at West Philadelphia High School with Chappell. Both served in the Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and were able to hook up with one another while both were stationed in Japan.
Chappell was a new husband. He and the former Princetta Benton exchanged vows Dec. 22, with Clarence Whitfield as best man.
"James was so family-oriented he was in the process of formally adopting his sister's three children, so he could better provide for them," an aunt, Patricia Chappell, said. Chappell and his sister, Eugenia Merchant, were working with an attorney, preparing the paperwork to make it legally possible for Chappell to adopt his 15-year-old niece, Katrina, and her two brothers, Jonathon, 12, and Leroy, 13.
"James was stationed at the historic Engine Company No. 11, Philadelphia's only fire company for black firemen until all fire companies were desegregated in 1952. Being assigned there was a badge of honor James wore with distinction," Rita Chappell said.
He is survived by his wife, Princetta; his mother, Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff; three brothers, David, Eddie and Jerry Jr.; two sisters, Hazel Chappell and Eugenia Merchant; five uncles, eight aunts, five nieces, six nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Following the service at Mount Zion Baptist Church, burial was to be in Fernwood Cemetery, 6501 Baltimore Ave., Yeadon.
February 23, 1991
The ONE Meridian Plaza blaze killed three firefighters as it consumed the upper floors of a skyscraper right next to City Hall.
The 12-alarm fire burned uncontrolled for nearly 20 hours. Three firefighters were killed - their bodies found on the 28th floor.
In addition to the three fatalities, the fire injured 24 firefighters. The 12 alarms brought 51 engine companies, 15 ladder companies, 11 specialized units, and more than 300 firefighters to the scene.
The three firefighters killed were Captain David P. Holcombe age 52, a 28 year veteran, Firefighter Phyllis McAllister age 43, a 10 year veteran and Firefighter James A. Chappell age 29, a 4 year veteran.
Funeral services for James Chappell were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 50th Street and Woodland Avenue.
Chappell, 28, a West Philadelphia native, was one of three city firefighters killed Saturday night in the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridian Plaza.
Firefighter Bruce Padgett went through Fire Academy training with Chappell. "We became friends on the very first day of class in April 1987, graduating together in June. As fate would have it, we were both assigned to Engine 11, both serving in different platoons," Padgett said.
Chappell's platoon was on duty Saturday when the blaze broke out at One Meridian Plaza. Padgett had the day off, but was called in on overtime as one alarm after another was sounded at the Center City high-rise.
Padgett was fighting the blaze on the 24th floor, then took a break, working his way down to the 20th-floor staging area. "At that point, firemen were carrying down something, but we weren't sure what," Padgett recalled.
Later he was shocked to learn it was the bodies of the three fallen firefighters from his station. Padgett today will drive the fire engine which will carry Chappell's casket to Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Chappell was the youngest child of the late Jerry Chappell and Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff of Philadelphia.
"James was a compassionate, loving and selfless man who throughout his entire life gave more of himself than was ever returned to him," said a cousin, Rita Chappell. "His entire life, though brief, was one of outreach, public service and dedication to family."
On the very morning he died, James Chappell had realized the dream of a lifetime. "He made a down payment for his own home, a house in Olney. But by the end of the day, James was gone," said Clarence Whitfield, a friend since kindergarten days.
Whitfield, a firefighter at Engine 68 in Southwest Philadelphia, attended classes at West Philadelphia High School with Chappell. Both served in the Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and were able to hook up with one another while both were stationed in Japan.
Chappell was a new husband. He and the former Princetta Benton exchanged vows Dec. 22, with Clarence Whitfield as best man.
"James was so family-oriented he was in the process of formally adopting his sister's three children, so he could better provide for them," an aunt, Patricia Chappell, said. Chappell and his sister, Eugenia Merchant, were working with an attorney, preparing the paperwork to make it legally possible for Chappell to adopt his 15-year-old niece, Katrina, and her two brothers, Jonathon, 12, and Leroy, 13.
"James was stationed at the historic Engine Company No. 11, Philadelphia's only fire company for black firemen until all fire companies were desegregated in 1952. Being assigned there was a badge of honor James wore with distinction," Rita Chappell said.
He is survived by his wife, Princetta; his mother, Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff; three brothers, David, Eddie and Jerry Jr.; two sisters, Hazel Chappell and Eugenia Merchant; five uncles, eight aunts, five nieces, six nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Following the service at Mount Zion Baptist Church, burial was to be in Fernwood Cemetery, 6501 Baltimore Ave., Yeadon.
IN THE :LINE OF DUTY
February 23, 1991
The ONE Meridian Plaza blaze killed three firefighters as it consumed the upper floors of a skyscraper right next to City Hall.
The 12-alarm fire burned uncontrolled for nearly 20 hours. Three firefighters were killed - their bodies found on the 28th floor.
In addition to the three fatalities, the fire injured 24 firefighters. The 12 alarms brought 51 engine companies, 15 ladder companies, 11 specialized units, and more than 300 firefighters to the scene.
The three firefighters killed were Captain David P. Holcombe age 52, a 28 year veteran, Firefighter Phyllis McAllister age 43, a 10 year veteran and Firefighter James A. Chappell age 29, a 4 year veteran.
Funeral services for James Chappell were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 50th Street and Woodland Avenue.
Chappell, 28, a West Philadelphia native, was one of three city firefighters killed Saturday night in the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridian Plaza.
Firefighter Bruce Padgett went through Fire Academy training with Chappell. "We became friends on the very first day of class in April 1987, graduating together in June. As fate would have it, we were both assigned to Engine 11, both serving in different platoons," Padgett said.
Chappell's platoon was on duty Saturday when the blaze broke out at One Meridian Plaza. Padgett had the day off, but was called in on overtime as one alarm after another was sounded at the Center City high-rise.
Padgett was fighting the blaze on the 24th floor, then took a break, working his way down to the 20th-floor staging area. "At that point, firemen were carrying down something, but we weren't sure what," Padgett recalled.
Later he was shocked to learn it was the bodies of the three fallen firefighters from his station. Padgett today will drive the fire engine which will carry Chappell's casket to Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Chappell was the youngest child of the late Jerry Chappell and Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff of Philadelphia.
"James was a compassionate, loving and selfless man who throughout his entire life gave more of himself than was ever returned to him," said a cousin, Rita Chappell. "His entire life, though brief, was one of outreach, public service and dedication to family."
On the very morning he died, James Chappell had realized the dream of a lifetime. "He made a down payment for his own home, a house in Olney. But by the end of the day, James was gone," said Clarence Whitfield, a friend since kindergarten days.
Whitfield, a firefighter at Engine 68 in Southwest Philadelphia, attended classes at West Philadelphia High School with Chappell. Both served in the Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and were able to hook up with one another while both were stationed in Japan.
Chappell was a new husband. He and the former Princetta Benton exchanged vows Dec. 22, with Clarence Whitfield as best man.
"James was so family-oriented he was in the process of formally adopting his sister's three children, so he could better provide for them," an aunt, Patricia Chappell, said. Chappell and his sister, Eugenia Merchant, were working with an attorney, preparing the paperwork to make it legally possible for Chappell to adopt his 15-year-old niece, Katrina, and her two brothers, Jonathon, 12, and Leroy, 13.
"James was stationed at the historic Engine Company No. 11, Philadelphia's only fire company for black firemen until all fire companies were desegregated in 1952. Being assigned there was a badge of honor James wore with distinction," Rita Chappell said.
He is survived by his wife, Princetta; his mother, Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff; three brothers, David, Eddie and Jerry Jr.; two sisters, Hazel Chappell and Eugenia Merchant; five uncles, eight aunts, five nieces, six nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Following the service at Mount Zion Baptist Church, burial was to be in Fernwood Cemetery, 6501 Baltimore Ave., Yeadon.
February 23, 1991
The ONE Meridian Plaza blaze killed three firefighters as it consumed the upper floors of a skyscraper right next to City Hall.
The 12-alarm fire burned uncontrolled for nearly 20 hours. Three firefighters were killed - their bodies found on the 28th floor.
In addition to the three fatalities, the fire injured 24 firefighters. The 12 alarms brought 51 engine companies, 15 ladder companies, 11 specialized units, and more than 300 firefighters to the scene.
The three firefighters killed were Captain David P. Holcombe age 52, a 28 year veteran, Firefighter Phyllis McAllister age 43, a 10 year veteran and Firefighter James A. Chappell age 29, a 4 year veteran.
Funeral services for James Chappell were to be held at 11 a.m. today at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 50th Street and Woodland Avenue.
Chappell, 28, a West Philadelphia native, was one of three city firefighters killed Saturday night in the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridian Plaza.
Firefighter Bruce Padgett went through Fire Academy training with Chappell. "We became friends on the very first day of class in April 1987, graduating together in June. As fate would have it, we were both assigned to Engine 11, both serving in different platoons," Padgett said.
Chappell's platoon was on duty Saturday when the blaze broke out at One Meridian Plaza. Padgett had the day off, but was called in on overtime as one alarm after another was sounded at the Center City high-rise.
Padgett was fighting the blaze on the 24th floor, then took a break, working his way down to the 20th-floor staging area. "At that point, firemen were carrying down something, but we weren't sure what," Padgett recalled.
Later he was shocked to learn it was the bodies of the three fallen firefighters from his station. Padgett today will drive the fire engine which will carry Chappell's casket to Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Chappell was the youngest child of the late Jerry Chappell and Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff of Philadelphia.
"James was a compassionate, loving and selfless man who throughout his entire life gave more of himself than was ever returned to him," said a cousin, Rita Chappell. "His entire life, though brief, was one of outreach, public service and dedication to family."
On the very morning he died, James Chappell had realized the dream of a lifetime. "He made a down payment for his own home, a house in Olney. But by the end of the day, James was gone," said Clarence Whitfield, a friend since kindergarten days.
Whitfield, a firefighter at Engine 68 in Southwest Philadelphia, attended classes at West Philadelphia High School with Chappell. Both served in the Marine Corps from 1981 to 1984, and were able to hook up with one another while both were stationed in Japan.
Chappell was a new husband. He and the former Princetta Benton exchanged vows Dec. 22, with Clarence Whitfield as best man.
"James was so family-oriented he was in the process of formally adopting his sister's three children, so he could better provide for them," an aunt, Patricia Chappell, said. Chappell and his sister, Eugenia Merchant, were working with an attorney, preparing the paperwork to make it legally possible for Chappell to adopt his 15-year-old niece, Katrina, and her two brothers, Jonathon, 12, and Leroy, 13.
"James was stationed at the historic Engine Company No. 11, Philadelphia's only fire company for black firemen until all fire companies were desegregated in 1952. Being assigned there was a badge of honor James wore with distinction," Rita Chappell said.
He is survived by his wife, Princetta; his mother, Agnes Scott Chappell Ruff; three brothers, David, Eddie and Jerry Jr.; two sisters, Hazel Chappell and Eugenia Merchant; five uncles, eight aunts, five nieces, six nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Following the service at Mount Zion Baptist Church, burial was to be in Fernwood Cemetery, 6501 Baltimore Ave., Yeadon.
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