On March 30th, Auburn Fire Department members paused to commemorate a terrible line-of-duty incident that occurred on March 30th, 1960, when three firefighters were killed while responding to a gas odor call.

Lieutenant Alfred H. "Spuds" Murphy, Firefighter Anthony Contrera, and Firefighter John F. Searing responded with Engine 4 to a petrol station on the corner of Lincoln and South streets. When firefighters arrived, they discovered several inches of gasoline and water on the lower level of the structure. At 7:52 p.m., a massive explosion ripped through the gas station while firefighters were inside.

The explosion killed three firefighters and two civilians, station owner Walter Ockenfels and employee John Bell. Firefighters from across the city responded to the scene and worked to extinguish the fire using foam.