Citywide, that wouldn't be unusual. But, the victims are all from one fire station -- Station 31 in North Seattle. Those firefighters want answers -- now.
Firefighters from Station 31 know when they respond to infernos, lots of things are burning and hazardous fumes are everywhere.
But these firefighters hate to go home to Station 31.
"We all agree we will take acceptable risks, that's part of our job. But the one thing we don't want to worry about is being in our own station," said Joe Coultman, who's been at Station 31 for 10 years.
They know firefighters have a higher cancer rate than most. But they wonder if this place is killing them:
"If we went down to your TV station, would you, just off the top of your head, be able to come with the names of 25 people who have died of cancer or other unique diseases?" said Captain Bruce Amer, who is the head of Station 31. "I don't think so. It just seems to be here."
Station 31 is a brick firehouse, but, the construction company used the wrong brick.
It leaked. It's been chemically sealed 15 times. And firemen worry about some white stuff coming through the walls and what could be chemical drippings.
"These walls have been sealed multiple times over the years," Amer said. "We don't know what their chemical makeup is. Some of those chemicals may be affecting the health of the people in this station."
Firefighters met with the health department, the mayor's office, and the chief to talk about the 25 cancers. Others have Bell's palsy and two suffer from the hair loss disease alopecia.
Pat Bartlow is one of three who developed a serious brain tumor. He's the only one who lived.
When asked if he thought it was something about the building, he replied: "I can't imagine what else, 'cause now they are coming up with 25 guys -- 25 people who've had cancer here."
Paul Atwater, the union president, said, "We all understand it that it may just be the hazards of fighting fire that causes all the cancer; it may not be something with the station. But we need to come to that conclusion fairly, openly and honestly."
A health department investigator told the group Wednesday he studied eight cancers and found no link.
The fire chief promised a study of all the cancers and a study of the building:
"We are concerned about the health and welfare of our members," Amer said. "But you have to react to accurate information in your judgment and decision making."
The chief wants a report back from the experts as soon as possible, but he stressed he wants a thorough investigation.
The station passed an environmental inspection two years ago, and it will remain open.
No firefighter has asked for a transfer yet, but the union tells me some have been talking about that possibility.
