March 1, 1968, remains one of the most tragic days in the history of the Clark County Fire Department.

At about 3:00 pm, Firefighter Colin Hanley noticed a cloud of smoke growing to the north. The column continued to darken and rise just beyond the area served by Station 14. Concerned, Colin went into the station and asked Captain Roy Walch, the training officer, to take a look.

As the crew watched the smoke build, the call came in.

The address was 1611 Mojave Road—the Sandstone Company Dice Factory. Engine 14 responded with Captain Walch, Engineer Dal Angel, and Firefighters Glen Ernest and Colin Hanley, arriving first on scene.

When they pulled up, the building was already heavily involved in fire. Engine 14 immediately began laying hose lines to attack the blaze. Firefighter Hanley advanced a line to the rear of the building and began operating as the crew worked to contain the growing fire.

A short time later, Colin shut down his line and returned to the engine. He told Engineer Angel that he thought he needed oxygen. Angel went to retrieve the resuscitator while Colin headed toward the tailboard to sit down.

He never made it.

Before reaching the apparatus, Colin collapsed into the arms of Marson Harris. Fellow firefighters immediately began efforts to resuscitate him, but despite their attempts, Colin could not be revived.

Hanley’s death marked the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Clark County Fire Department, a moment that would leave a lasting impact on the department and the firefighters who followed.

His death was later attributed to inhalation of phosgene gas, a deadly chemical released when the celluloid cubes used in the manufacturing of dice inside the factory burned. Phosgene gas—once used in chemical warfare—is colorless and difficult to detect, making it particularly dangerous in fire conditions.

Firefighter Colin Hanley answered the call as he had many times before in his tenure—serving his community. Though the hazards of that fire could not be seen, his courage and dedication were unmistakable.

Today, we remember Colin Hanley and honor his sacrifice. His story is a reminder of the unseen dangers firefighters face and the commitment they carry every time they respond to a call.