IN THE LINE OF DUTY
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 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 Fire Capt. David Holcombe will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen AME Church, 5902 Addison St., where friends may call after 9 a.m.
The 51-year-old Holcombe, a resident of South Philadelphia, was one of three firefighters who lost their lives Saturday night during the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridan Plaza.
A 28-year Fire Department veteran, Holcombe and firefighters James Chappell and Phyllis McAllister suffocated on the 28th floor of the Center City high- rise when their air tanks ran out and rescuers failed to reach them.
Services for Chappell and McAllister are pending, according to Fire Department officials.
"Captain Holcombe was particularly proud of being commanding officer of Engine Company 11, located at 6th and South streets, the first all-black fire engine company in the city," said his son-in-law, John Gonzalez.
Six months before his death, Holcombe fufilled a longtime dream by taking over command of Engine 11, which was, until the department was racially integrated in the 1950s, an all-black unit.
Gonzalez described his father-in-law as a man who treated the men in his command as members of an extended family.
"Captain Holcombe made his love, time and energy available to whomever needed it. His compassion, care and advice were of a special quality as others often sought him out," Gonzalez said.
"His exemplary character and service will be missed by loved ones, friends and associates," Gonzalez added.
Holcombe was a past president of the local chapter of the Valiants, an international fraternal organization of African-American firefighters.
An Air Force veteran, Holcombe served a tour of duty in Alaska after graduating from high school here.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Mary; two daughters, Beverly and Robin; a son, David Jr.; his father, David N. Holcombe; two brothers, Raymond and George; and a sister, Maribell.
Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Routes 202 and 3, West Chester.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a donation in Holcombe's name be made to Volunteers in Aid of Sickle Cell Anemia, 1417 N. 52nd St., Philadelphia 19131.
[Philadelphia Daily News(PA)-Tuesday, February 26, 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 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 Fire Capt. David Holcombe will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen AME Church, 5902 Addison St., where friends may call after 9 a.m.
The 51-year-old Holcombe, a resident of South Philadelphia, was one of three firefighters who lost their lives Saturday night during the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridan Plaza.
A 28-year Fire Department veteran, Holcombe and firefighters James Chappell and Phyllis McAllister suffocated on the 28th floor of the Center City high- rise when their air tanks ran out and rescuers failed to reach them.
Services for Chappell and McAllister are pending, according to Fire Department officials.
"Captain Holcombe was particularly proud of being commanding officer of Engine Company 11, located at 6th and South streets, the first all-black fire engine company in the city," said his son-in-law, John Gonzalez.
Six months before his death, Holcombe fufilled a longtime dream by taking over command of Engine 11, which was, until the department was racially integrated in the 1950s, an all-black unit.
Gonzalez described his father-in-law as a man who treated the men in his command as members of an extended family.
"Captain Holcombe made his love, time and energy available to whomever needed it. His compassion, care and advice were of a special quality as others often sought him out," Gonzalez said.
"His exemplary character and service will be missed by loved ones, friends and associates," Gonzalez added.
Holcombe was a past president of the local chapter of the Valiants, an international fraternal organization of African-American firefighters.
An Air Force veteran, Holcombe served a tour of duty in Alaska after graduating from high school here.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Mary; two daughters, Beverly and Robin; a son, David Jr.; his father, David N. Holcombe; two brothers, Raymond and George; and a sister, Maribell.
Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Routes 202 and 3, West Chester.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a donation in Holcombe's name be made to Volunteers in Aid of Sickle Cell Anemia, 1417 N. 52nd St., Philadelphia 19131.
[Philadelphia Daily News(PA)-Tuesday, February 26, 1991]
IN THE LINE OF DUTY
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 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 Fire Capt. David Holcombe will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen AME Church, 5902 Addison St., where friends may call after 9 a.m.
The 51-year-old Holcombe, a resident of South Philadelphia, was one of three firefighters who lost their lives Saturday night during the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridan Plaza.
A 28-year Fire Department veteran, Holcombe and firefighters James Chappell and Phyllis McAllister suffocated on the 28th floor of the Center City high- rise when their air tanks ran out and rescuers failed to reach them.
Services for Chappell and McAllister are pending, according to Fire Department officials.
"Captain Holcombe was particularly proud of being commanding officer of Engine Company 11, located at 6th and South streets, the first all-black fire engine company in the city," said his son-in-law, John Gonzalez.
Six months before his death, Holcombe fufilled a longtime dream by taking over command of Engine 11, which was, until the department was racially integrated in the 1950s, an all-black unit.
Gonzalez described his father-in-law as a man who treated the men in his command as members of an extended family.
"Captain Holcombe made his love, time and energy available to whomever needed it. His compassion, care and advice were of a special quality as others often sought him out," Gonzalez said.
"His exemplary character and service will be missed by loved ones, friends and associates," Gonzalez added.
Holcombe was a past president of the local chapter of the Valiants, an international fraternal organization of African-American firefighters.
An Air Force veteran, Holcombe served a tour of duty in Alaska after graduating from high school here.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Mary; two daughters, Beverly and Robin; a son, David Jr.; his father, David N. Holcombe; two brothers, Raymond and George; and a sister, Maribell.
Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Routes 202 and 3, West Chester.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a donation in Holcombe's name be made to Volunteers in Aid of Sickle Cell Anemia, 1417 N. 52nd St., Philadelphia 19131.
[Philadelphia Daily News(PA)-Tuesday, February 26, 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 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 Fire Capt. David Holcombe will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Allen AME Church, 5902 Addison St., where friends may call after 9 a.m.
The 51-year-old Holcombe, a resident of South Philadelphia, was one of three firefighters who lost their lives Saturday night during the 12-alarm blaze at One Meridan Plaza.
A 28-year Fire Department veteran, Holcombe and firefighters James Chappell and Phyllis McAllister suffocated on the 28th floor of the Center City high- rise when their air tanks ran out and rescuers failed to reach them.
Services for Chappell and McAllister are pending, according to Fire Department officials.
"Captain Holcombe was particularly proud of being commanding officer of Engine Company 11, located at 6th and South streets, the first all-black fire engine company in the city," said his son-in-law, John Gonzalez.
Six months before his death, Holcombe fufilled a longtime dream by taking over command of Engine 11, which was, until the department was racially integrated in the 1950s, an all-black unit.
Gonzalez described his father-in-law as a man who treated the men in his command as members of an extended family.
"Captain Holcombe made his love, time and energy available to whomever needed it. His compassion, care and advice were of a special quality as others often sought him out," Gonzalez said.
"His exemplary character and service will be missed by loved ones, friends and associates," Gonzalez added.
Holcombe was a past president of the local chapter of the Valiants, an international fraternal organization of African-American firefighters.
An Air Force veteran, Holcombe served a tour of duty in Alaska after graduating from high school here.
He is survived by his wife of 11 years, Mary; two daughters, Beverly and Robin; a son, David Jr.; his father, David N. Holcombe; two brothers, Raymond and George; and a sister, Maribell.
Burial will be in Rolling Green Memorial Park, Routes 202 and 3, West Chester.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a donation in Holcombe's name be made to Volunteers in Aid of Sickle Cell Anemia, 1417 N. 52nd St., Philadelphia 19131.
[Philadelphia Daily News(PA)-Tuesday, February 26, 1991]
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