Lakewood Township to Honor Two Fallen Firefighters – TLS

Lakewood-(TLS)–The two Lakewood Firefighters who gave their lives while trying to save the lives of others, will be recognized and honored this week by the Township, Fire Chief Rodney Youmans tells TLS.

On December 23, 1976, Stanley Marks and Alex Latyshev of Junior Hose Company No. 3 responded  to a working fire at the Hotel Allaben on Monmouth Avenue, and shortly after they entered the burning building, a flash-over occurred, trapping them inside.

Firefighter Stanley Marks’ body was found the next morning on the first floor just below the area of flash-over, according to Lakewood Fire Department’s Historian Richard Errickson. Marks had fallen through the burned away floor above.

Firefighter Latyshev was able to get to a small second floor window and was pulled down a ladder to safety. He was rushed to the hospital, but succumbed to his burns several weeks later.

A firefighter memorial was constructed in Pine Park in 1988, and every October a department firefighter service is held in their memory.

This Thursday, the Township will recognize and honor the two heroes by holding a special ceremony at the Township Committee meeting.

The meeting, which will begin at 7 PM, will feature a bagpiper, the honor guard and the unveiling of memorial plaques with for the two men – an idea proposed by PBA President Gary Przewoznik. The plaques will be placed near those of the fallen Lakewood Police Officers, on the Memorial Wall in the Township lobby.

Courtesy of The Lakewood Scoop, Lakewood’s #1 Source for Breaking News.

Posted by Ocean County News on Sep 4 2012. Filed under Fire & Safety, Lakewood, Photos, Police Blotter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.