Black History Month: WFD remembers firefighters killed in 1868 Valentine’s Day fire
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In honor of Black History Month, the Wilmington Fire Department is reflecting on the lives of two volunteer firefighters killed fighting a fire on Valentine’s Day in 1868.
Firefighters Robert Bellamy and Richard Merrick fought a fire all night on February 13th along Market Street between Front and Water Streets.
They were inside one of the burned structures when a wall collapsed around 5:30 a.m. on February 14, trapping them and others (civilians) who were close by.
After a drastic search, their bodies were found crushed beneath the rubble.
Bellamy and Merrick were members of the African-American Cape Fear Company #3.
They were buried with public honors, however, their graves have never been found.
