From the WTF Watch Desk: In 1972, a burning stationary gasoline tank exploded at an Elkhart building-supply company, fatally burning Battalion Chief Gerald Freed and Firefighter Terry Crouch and injuring several others.
Why this deserves the fire service’s attention
Heated flammable-liquid tanks can fail violently, with lethal blast and thermal effects well beyond the visible fire.
What remains open
The prepared record supports the facts and relevance stated above. Firefighter WTF is not manufacturing a tactical finding where the source material does not establish one; updates will follow verified official information.
This report reflects information available on September 8, 2026. Developing items will be updated when official information changes.