Incident Date:
September 3, 1963
Departments:
Bossier City Fire Department (LA)
Number of Line-of-Duty Deaths:
2
Call out: What is a sewer lift station?
A sewer lift station (or simply “sewer lift”) is a mechanical system designed to move wastewater (sewage) from lower elevations to higher ones. This is necessary when gravity alone cannot do the job, such as in flat areas, or when the wastewater needs to be transported uphill to reach the main sewer line or a treatment plant. The 5 key components of a sewer lift station include:
- Pumps: The main function of the lift station is to pump sewage uphill to a higher elevation. Submersible pumps are often used for this purpose.
- Wet Well: Wastewater is collected and stored temporarily in this chamber before being pumped.
- Control System: Sensors or float switches detect the sewage level in the wet well and activate the pumps when needed.
- Valves and Pipes: The flow of wastewater is controlled from the lift station to the main sewer line.
- Power Supply: Backup power sources (like generators) are often included to ensure the lift station works during power outages.
On September 3, 1963, members of the Bossier City Water Department and the Bossier City Fire Department converged on the Shady Grove Sewer Lift Station to investigate a malfunctioning pump.
Assistant Fire Chief H.F. Brown, Fire Captain A.J. Lodatto, Sewer Superintendent A.C. Howell, along with Charles Brown and Clarence ‘Sonny’ Reddic from the Water Department, inspected the situation at the lift station. They determined that rope and other supplies were needed to access the bottom of the 21-foot well. Chief Brown and Superintendent Howell left to retrieve the supplies needed from the city’s maintenance barn.
After they departed, the others discovered a length of rope in the second truck and used it to lower a ladder into the well. Clarence Reddic was the first to climb down, ensuring the ladder was securely positioned at the bottom. But something seemed wrong, though no one could tell exactly what. Reddic tried to climb back up, but fell. Captain Lodato rushed to the truck to call for help, and when he turned back, he saw Charles Brown’s hands at the top of the ladder—then they suddenly vanished.
Captain Lodatto hurried down the ladder to rescue them, but upon reaching the bottom, he realized the sewer was filled with gas. He attempted to climb back to the surface, but the toxic fumes overtook him, and he, too, collapsed.
Responding to Captain Lodato’s distress call, Assistant Chief T.J. Turner and Firefighters Royce Glen Vogel and Larry Baldwin, who was off-duty at the time, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered Reddic, Brown, and Lodato unconscious at the bottom of the shaft. Firefighter Vogel descended the ladder—but he too was quickly overcome by the fumes. Firefighter Baldwin followed, only to pass out as well.
Moments later, Chief F.M. Smith arrived at the scene with Captains Robert Roy and J.T. Wallace, and they immediately got to work. As Chief Smith was putting on his mask, Assistant Chief Brown and Superintendent Howell returned from obtaining supplies. Upon hearing that his son and the others were unconscious, Chief Brown attempted to climb down the ladder but was quickly forced back by the fumes. Chief Smith climbed into the sewer and secured a rope around Ladatto. While attempting to rescue the others, he realized the gas was seeping into his mask and he was forced to return to the surface.
Firefighters from Companies 4 and 7 arrived on the scene, and Firefighter Paul Blackburn descended into the shaft, successfully bringing Firefighter Vogel to the surface. Next, Firefighter Ronny Powell climbed down and managed to rescue both Baldwin and Charles Brown. Police Sergeant O.G. ‘Buddy’ Bolton then entered the hole and pulled Clarence Reddic to safety.
These rescue efforts lasted over an hour as hundreds of neighbors gathered, spellbound by the unfolding tragedy. Firefighters managed to revive Lodato, Baldwin, and Vogel at the scene before they were transported to Doctors Hospital in Shreveport. Unfortunately, they were unable to revive water department workers Reddic and Charles Brown. The wastewater in the sewer had risen to three feet, leaving Charles Brown and Clarence ‘Sonny’ Reddic partially submerged—and tragically, both died from asphyxiation.
Firefighter Baldwin passed away later that day due to exposure to hydrogen sulfide and methane gas, followed by Firefighter Vogel, who succumbed to the same effects two days later.
Lessons Learned
“We have been down into the lift station before and nothing like this had happened.”
Shaken by the tragedy, Bossier City launched a thorough investigation, collaborating with the medical examiner, the insurance company, and the involved departments to prevent such an incident from happening again. They also stressed the importance of establishing and reinforcing safety precautions for workers entering confined spaces.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the gas had corroded a hole in the copper pipe leading to the pump’s activator. As a result of this finding, the city explored the availability of gas detectors capable of identifying lethal gases in the lift station chambers and worked with engineers to determine if fresh air could be pumped into the chambers to make them safer for access and maintenance.
Bossier Remembers
Located beneath a large magnolia tree in front of old Bossier City Fire Department Station 6, a small memorial honors the firefighters and city workers who lost their lives in their city’s most tragic day.
In 2015, the station was transformed into a local restaurant, but the new owners pledged to preserve this tribute. They worked with a local arborist to ensure the memorial tree remains healthy and will flourish for years to come. One employee remarked, “It seems like every firefighter in the city has some connection to this building, feels attached to it. They have memories here. Every time we’re working, a firetruck inevitably stops by, guys get off and wander about the place.”
