50 years later: Vicksburg remembers fallen firefighters at memorial service – The Vicksburg Post

The lives of four Vicksburg firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice a half-century ago were honored Wednesday morning during a special service at Vicksburg Fire Station No. 2.

Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps said the infamous incident, which started as a reported grass fire 50 years ago, claimed the lives of Captain John Krueger, Lieutenant David Lewis and Lieutenant John McBroom of the Vicksburg Fire Department (VFD). A fourth firefighter, Private Jimmy Gibbs, was seriously injured but lived another 38 years before dying from complications from his injuries.

“Some gave a lot, but these men gave everything,” Bishop John Williams said during Wednesday’s Mass. “Greater love has no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. We honor them and their honorable families; first-rate rescuers with first-rate courage.”

Stamps said it was July 3, 1974, when four firefighters responded to a call at Paul Pride Butane Company, initially thinking it was a grass fire near a butane tank. They soon discovered a butane leak, and about 15,000 gallons of butane “covered the ground in a fog-like cloud.” The butane cloud was ignited by an unknown spark, he said, sending the truck into flames.

“Today we gather to commemorate a solemn milestone in our city’s history,” Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said Wednesday. “This tragic accident claimed the lives of three brave firefighters — Capt. John Krueger, Lt. David Lewis and Lt. John McBroom — and Firefighter Jimmy Gibbs was seriously injured. They made the ultimate sacrifice with courage and fortitude to protect our community.”

Members of all four families attended the service Wednesday and spoke briefly about the days following the accidents, their memories of their loved ones and the toll the losses have left on their families and the Vicksburg community.

Surrounded by family members, an emotional Cynthia Lewis Scott – David Lewis’ daughter – said Wednesday’s service was an important reminder of what is important in life.

“When I was about 15, I wrote a poem about my father,” she said. “He’s buried in Lewis Cemetery by our house, and I would go there and sit by his grave and just talk to him. I’d say, ‘Dad. You’ve gone to a place I can’t get to, but your love still holds me.’”

Those attending Wednesday’s mass gathered for refreshments, followed by a speech and a ceremonial ringing of a bell by Stamps in honor of the fallen firefighters.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families,” Flaggs said. “Your loss is our loss.”