Assistant Chief
G. Calvin Bookhardt
(Served OFD from July 1955 to December 1972)

Investigators said an overheated ceiling light started a pre-dawn downtown Orlando fire which took the life of Asst. Chief G. Calvin Bookhardt, a 20-year veteran and injured 12 firemen. A front-end loader and crane sifting through blackened brick and cement rubble at David Lee Wigs, 52 W. Central Blvd, muted the merriment of Orlando's annual Christmas parade, as investigators and a Deputy State Fire Marshal investigate the fire scene. Bookhardt, 40, was married, the father of four, and taught Bible Classes on Sunday. Bookhardt was the third OFD employee to lose his life in the line of duty.

The gutted store was a block west of Orange Avenue near Morrison's Cafeteria (now Kate O'Briens, Irish Pub). Flames from the store leaped in to the 47 degree night air for three hours before firemen could extinguish the blaze. The blaze, which destroyed the building, resulting in an estimated $100,000 in damage. The west wall collapsed around 1:30 a.m. - about 90 minutes after the fire was reported. Bookhardt, Longest and MacAllaster were on the roof preparing to ventilate. Without warning, the roof and wall separated. Bookhardt fell between the wall and roof into the fire, Longest rode the roof down. MacAllaster grabbed a ladder and was thrown over the Snorkel. Fleming and Lee were pinned by the collapsing wall. Twelve firemen were injured, four hospitalized (Alan Macallaster, James Fleming, Edward Lee, and Dennis Longest.) Bookhardt was pronounced dead at Florida Hospital. The veteran firefighter's casket was born by a new fire engine, one he had personally worked on the last two weeks before he died.

Bookhardt Park - Dedication 1974

(Mayor Langford with Mrs. Bookhardt Unveil Plaque)

Mayor Carl T. Langford unveiled the memorial plaque for G. Calvin Bookhardt Park during dedication ceremonies at 52 W. Central Blvd, on the site where Assistant Chief Bookhardt lost his life in the line of duty.

Read an excerpt from retired FF Jim Fleming's recollection of the fire incident.

Bookhardt Park Dedication Pictures