Safety & Health

Procession Honors NJ Firefighter Killed in 1980 Blaze

May 30, 2020

More than 20 departments in 65 apparatus turned out to recognize Washington Borough firefighter Brian Heinrich, who died in the line of duty 40 years ago.

By Kurt Bresswein

Source The Express-Times, Easton, Pa.

More than 20 departments across Warren, Hunterdon and Morris counties in New Jersey held a procession Saturday to honor Washington Borough firefighter Brian Heinrich, who died from injuries suffered during a 1980 apartment blaze.

A memorial procession Saturday in Washington Borough honored a firefighter killed in the line of duty 40 years ago.

Taking part were 65 trucks from 22 fire departments across Warren, Hunterdon and Morris counties.

Borough firefighters Brian Heinrich and Steve Alpaugh on May 29, 1980, entered an apartment that was on fire at 57 E. Washington Ave. based on reports a woman was trapped inside, Washington Borough Fire Department Capt. Ron Hartrum said.

The woman ended up being somewhere else.

Heinrich died of his injuries suffered in the response to the fire, which would be ruled arson, Hartrum said.

Alpaugh was able to jump out a third-story window and suffered a broken back and burns, but was able to recover and remains an active firefighter today.

"We'll never forget about him," Hartrum said of Heinrich.

The fire department organized Saturday's procession as a way to honor Heinrich while observing social distancing as the fight against the coronavirus continues.

Heinrich's widow, Rita Heinrich, and other survivors were in attendance as the procession passed by the scene of the fire. Police closed down Washington Avenue (Route 57) between Broad Street and Route 31 for about 15 minutes to accommodate the memorial.

The fire department had hoped to recognize the 40th anniversary of Brian Heinrich's death with a larger memorial service and the renaming in his memory of an alley near the fire scene, Hartrum said.

Because of the continuing threat of COVID-19, plans were scaled back. The annual Brian Heinrich Scholarship Fund summer softball game between firefighters and members of the Washington Township Police Department is also in jeopardy because of the virus, Hartrum said. That event raises money for $2,000 in annual scholarships awarded to two Warren Hills Regional High School students who are continuing their education.

———

Visit The Express-Times, Easton, Pa. at www.lehighvalleylive.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.