Firefighters in Brockton are stepping up efforts to safeguard a poignant piece of local history by restoring an antique 1924 Seagrave fire apparatus that responded to the deadliest disaster in the department's history. More than eight decades after the catastrophic Strand Theatre blaze claimed the lives of 13 firefighters, members of the local department are rallying the public to help finance the complete restoration of the historic vehicle.
To fund the intensive project, Brockton Firefighters Local 144 is preparing to host its second annual Seagrave Restoration Cruise Night Car and Bike Show. The community gathering serves as both a major fundraising initiative and an educational platform to ensure the sacrifices made during the 1941 tragedy are never forgotten by future generations.
The charity event is scheduled to take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Brockton Fairgrounds situated on Belmont Street. Organizers have established Sunday, Sept. 13, as the designated rain date in the event of inclement weather.
Admission to the car and bike exhibition is free for all spectators, though attendees are encouraged to make voluntary contributions to support the restoration drive. Beyond viewing a diverse array of vehicles, guests will have the opportunity to examine the historic 1924 Seagrave Squad A truck firsthand, learn details about its extensive background, and donate directly through a traditional "Fill the Boot" collection campaign.
The exhibition welcomes vehicles of every make, model, and vintage, inviting enthusiasts to display everything from classic automobiles to modern motorcycles. Vehicle owners seeking to participate in the competitive Best in Show showcase can enter their rides in exchange for a suggested $10 donation.
In addition to the vast lineup of automobiles and bikes, the family-friendly event will feature musical entertainment and multiple raffle opportunities. Attendees will also have access to local food vendors, including Lady C&J Soul Food and Catering along with E's Ice Cream.
For the members of the Brockton Fire Department, the restoration carries profound emotional weight. Capt. Stephen McLean of Station 1's Squad A, who serves on the committee directing the preservation project, emphasized that the initiative represents a direct tribute to the fallen responders who answered the call that fateful night.
McLean highlighted the deep historical and departmental significance tied directly to the apparatus. Squad A was not only on the scene battling the inferno, but all four firefighters who arrived aboard that specific truck lost their lives in the line of duty when disaster struck.
The truck itself boasts an illustrious pedigree in the annals of Brockton's municipal fleet. Built by the Seagrave Corporation in Columbus, Ohio, the Squad A vehicle officially entered frontline service in Brockton on Nov. 3, 1924, marking an early milestone in the city's transition toward fully motorized firefighting apparatus.
After serving the city through decades of emergencies—including its pivotal deployment to the Strand Theatre—the apparatus was eventually retired from active duty in 1948. Following its decommissioning, the rig was auctioned off to a New Hampshire farmer, beginning a long journey away from the city it once protected.
The truck changed hands again in 1980 when it was purchased by Bruce Eaton, the proprietor of the Tuxbury Pond Campground located in Southampton, New Hampshire. For decades, the historic vehicle remained stored on the campground property, largely out of the public eye and separated from its storied past.
The vehicle's path back home began in 2019, when Billerica firefighter Dave Feyler, an avid collector of vintage firefighting equipment, acquired the Squad A truck from the Eaton family. Sensing the historical importance of the engine, Feyler launched an investigation into the vehicle's origins and discovered its ties to the city of Brockton.
To verify the vehicle's identity, Feyler collaborated with retired Brockton Fire Chief Kenneth Galligan. Together, they meticulously cross-referenced and authenticated the serial numbers stamped on the chassis, confirming beyond doubt that the rig was indeed the authentic Squad A apparatus deployed to the Strand Theatre fire.
Following the definitive identification, Brockton Firefighters Local 144 took possession of the apparatus and organized the dedicated committee to fund and manage its comprehensive restoration, setting the stage for its eventual return to public display.
The disaster that forever linked the truck to Brockton history unfolded late on Sunday, March 9, 1941. Earlier that evening, patrons had filled the Strand Theatre at Main and School streets to watch a cinematic double feature consisting of "Hoosier School Boy," starring Mickey Rooney, alongside the film "Secret Evidence."
Hours after the final moviegoers departed and the building closed, a custodian discovered smoke and flames originating in the theater's basement and instructed an assistant to pull a nearby fire alarm. The Brockton Fire Department logged the initial box alarm at 12:38 a.m., immediately dispatching the first wave of emergency apparatus—including Squad A—to the commercial structure.
Although the fire initially appeared manageable to the first arriving crews, conditions rapidly deteriorated as the flames spread unseen through the building's infrastructure, prompting commanders to strike a second alarm and subsequent general alarm. The incident turned catastrophic in the early morning hours when the theater's heavy roof suddenly collapsed without warning, burying crews below and resulting in the deaths of 13 firefighters.
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