Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Remembering Monroe C. Karn
82 Years Ago Today - on July 21, 1944: @LosAngelesFireDepartment Fireman Monroe C. Karn died as the result of a late night fire that he and his LAFD coworkers strived to control nearly 4 months prior.
At 11:23 PM on March 28, 1944, a telephone notification requested Karn and his colleagues assigned to Engine 54 to respond to what would prove to be his last alarm, a large market ablaze at 6700 West Boulevard in the #HydePark area of #LosAngeles.
Karn and the first-due Engine 54 crew quickly arrived to be joined by fellow #firefighters at the greater alarm blaze, laying more than 450 feet of hose in their tenacious battle to conquer the flames.
In the prolonged firefighting effort, the crew of Engine 54, including Karn, suffered severe exposure to heat, smoke and ammonia fumes.
Karn, who became seriously ill, went off-duty and died 115 days later, on July 21 from what were apparent complications related to his ammonia exposure.
Karn was the 8th and final firefighter to die in the #LAFD line of duty during World War II.
* Pictured are unnamed members of LAFD Engine 54 circa 1930.
#LODD #LAFD #LACITYFIREDEPARTMENT
Remembering Monroe C. Karn
82 Years Ago Today - on July 21, 1944: @LosAngelesFireDepartment Fireman Monroe C. Karn died as the result of a late night fire that he and his LAFD coworkers strived to control nearly 4 months prior.
At 11:23 PM on March 28, 1944, a telephone notification requested Karn and his colleagues assigned to Engine 54 to respond to what would prove to be his last alarm, a large market ablaze at 6700 West Boulevard in the #HydePark area of #LosAngeles.
Karn and the first-due Engine 54 crew quickly arrived to be joined by fellow #firefighters at the greater alarm blaze, laying more than 450 feet of hose in their tenacious battle to conquer the flames.
In the prolonged firefighting effort, the crew of Engine 54, including Karn, suffered severe exposure to heat, smoke and ammonia fumes.
Karn, who became seriously ill, went off-duty and died 115 days later, on July 21 from what were apparent complications related to his ammonia exposure.
Karn was the 8th and final firefighter to die in the #LAFD line of duty during World War II.
* Pictured are unnamed members of LAFD Engine 54 circa 1930.
#LODD #LAFD #LACITYFIREDEPARTMENT
