Firefighter, Fire Investigator James H. McGroarty

Syracuse Fire Department

Date of Death: January 19, 1999

Fire Investigator James H. McGroarty died in the line of duty while conducting a post‑fire investigation at a residential structure at 701–703 North McBride Street. He was working in the attic with two insurance investigators when a free‑standing chimney—its roof support weakened by the original fire five days earlier—suddenly collapsed. The falling debris struck Firefighter McGroarty, causing critical injuries. Firefighter McGroarty was transported to University Hospital, where CPR and emergency surgical efforts were performed. He later succumbed to his injuries that afternoon. A 20‑year veteran of the Syracuse Fire Department, Firefighter McGroarty was assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit at the time of his death.