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Liebre Fire Entrapment Fatality 1968

  • Location:

    California
  • Date:

    06/21/1968
  • Incident Type:

    Entrapment
  • Description:

    On June 21, 1968, Fire Captain Phil Goodell, 47 years old, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department was assigned to the Liebre Fire burning in the Castaic area of Los Angeles County, California. When flames overran Engine 382 on a power-line access road, the crew took shelter beneath the apparatus. Captain Goodell stood between them and the advancing fire, courageously operating a hose line in an effort to shield them. He was ultimately overtaken by the flames and suffered fatal burn injuries. Captain Goodell gave his life to protect his crew, who sustained burns but survived. Goodell succumbed to his injuries at the USC Medical Center on June 24. 

    This incident summary is from the Los Angeles County Firefighters Memorial.

    Entrapment, Fatality, Burn Injury, Engines