According to a report by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), five firefighters died "needlessly" in the July 1, 1988 blaze. Capt. Richard Williams and Firefighters William Krejsa and Leonard Radumski died in the roof collapse. Lt. Richard Reinhagen and Stephen Ennis became trapped in a tool closet. Though they radioed for help, the communications system kept cutting out and their calls went unheeded.