Heroes Under Fire
On December 3, 1999, a fire ravaged an abandoned warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts and claimed the lives of six firefighters. 37-year-old Tom Levesque and 19-year-old Julie Barnes, an unhoused couple living in the building, were subsequently charged with manslaughter for starting the blaze. “48 Hours" Correspondents Dan Rather and Bill Lagattuta report. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 5/31/2001. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.
- Duration
- 39m
- Broadcast on
- 04 Dec 2024
- Audio Format
- other
This episode appears to contain dynamically inserted ads. Transcript timestamps may be approximate.
(upbeat music) - Fire at 2-0-3, right at 2-0-3. - It started with a candle. And exploded into an inferno. This fire was a monster. Six firefighters trapped. - You couldn't see anything in there. - Trying to rescue a homeless couple. - If he knew anyone was in the building, he would be right in there. He was doing his job. - Exclusive details. - What's going through your head, is it your name? - We've gotta get this done. We don't have a lot of time. - From the heat of battle. - All of a sudden, there was a radio message. - I've never felt that, it's a quick way to go. I'm running well on the air, we've got to get out of it. - And Bill Legatuto has the remarkable story of the homeless teenager accused of helping to start the fire. - When I saw the picture, I knew immediately. - Will an amazing twist of fate turned her life around forever. - This tragedy doesn't need another victim. - A devastating fire that captured the nation's heart. - I said my God, my son is trapped in that building. - Heroes under fire. (soft piano music) - First alarm sounded here. Central Station in the heart of Western Massachusetts. Set off a chain of events unlike anything this city had ever seen. What happened here is a story of courage and sacrifice. We'll take you behind the lines, into a world where bravery, honor and devotion to work in the family are on display every day. A world where seemingly ordinary men perform extraordinary deeds. All of it unfolding during a moment of crisis, a flashpoint for an entire city. But there's also a remarkable twist of fate that only underscores the dangers of the job and the selflessness of those who do it. Heroes under fire. (suspenseful music) - Come on, wife, let me get it. - Okay, with all the light, John? - Yes sir. - Don't you break it?
Transcription truncated.
On December 3, 1999, a fire ravaged an abandoned warehouse in Worcester, Massachusetts and claimed the lives of six firefighters. 37-year-old Tom Levesque and 19-year-old Julie Barnes, an unhoused couple living in the building, were subsequently charged with manslaughter for starting the blaze. “48 Hours" Correspondents Dan Rather and Bill Lagattuta report. This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 5/31/2001. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays, and stream on demand on Paramount+.