Fallen Firefighters to be Honored

St. Louis Park Fire Chief Luke Stemmer wasn’t yet a member of the department on Oct. 8, 1971, but it’s a day he still remembers well.

On that day, St. Louis Park firefighters Arnold "Arnie" Johnson and Robert "Bob" McElmurry died after battling a fire at the Pizza House, at 4532 Excelsior Blvd.

Stemmer was just starting his career with the Wayzata Fire Department, and he remembers plenty of firefighters talking about the tragedy around the station.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It was a shock to the system.”

On Saturday, Stemmer—along with the rest of the St. Louis Park Fire Department—will observe the 40th anniversary of the deaths of the two firefighters in a ceremony at . When the city’s open next year, the fallen firefighters will be recognized with permanent memorials.

“It’s a dangerous job,” Stemmer said. “We need to remember our history, that (incidents like this) have happened before.”

The fateful fire started in packing boxes in the restaurant’s back hall at around 1:30 a.m., according to the St. Louis Park Historical Society.  After a cook and a waitress discovered the growing blaze, the fire department was called.

Johnson and McElmurry entered the building when the fire appeared to be under control, but it was smoldering between the ceiling and the roof, and the ceiling collapsed on top of them. After an unsuccessful attempt to get the men out, the roof itself caved in. Fire chief Omar McGary said the following to the Sun Newspaper:

“ … the restaurant's huge ventilation system drew flame, heat, and smoke up through the ceiling. When the wires on the ventilation system burned, the suction stopped and then everything broke loose. There was a quick flash and the fire was everywhere. The flames spread quickly. No one had time to do anything."

Stemmer said a lot can be learned from the tragedy. For one, it's now standard procedure for fire departments across the country to have a reserve crew on stand-by at the scene—something not practiced 40 years ago. Also, fire commanders are now trained to stand back and observe the scene, providing support to other firefighters. Had that happened in 1971, commanders might have better noticed the dangers of the situation, and Johnson and McElmurry might have been prevented from entering the building, Stemmer said.

“Our saying today is ‘everyone goes home,’” he added.

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IF YOU GO

What: Fallen firefighter remembrance

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m.

Where: