Decades before the advent of digital photography, and decades before firefighters wore modern protective gear, Pulitzer Prize winning photo journalist, Paul Thayer (1913-1977) spent thousands of hours capturing breathtaking images of firefighters at work in NYC's busy Harlem neighborhood.


 


                    

Most photos during the 1950-60's were poorly-focused wide shots of fires, with little or no detail of firefighter's individual heroics.
The images captured by Paul Thayer rank among the best in the history of fire photography.

The original prints displayed on this website have been donated to the NY Fire Museum
from the personal collection of Mike Higham, former Chief of the Ellamore, WV VFD
and former FDNY Firefighter at Ladder Company 14, East Harlem.

    

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Thanks to "Uncle" Ed Mahone and Sara for their invaluable assistance in making this website a reality