Community Corner

Aug. 25, 1968: Eight Die in Inferno

Seven teen boys and a team leader were killed trying to control the blaze.

Eight were killed as they tried to battle a blaze in the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa College of the Pacific in Glendora on Aug. 25, 1968, reported the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Seven of the victims were teenage boys working as firefighters while on probation from the Los Angeles Juvenile Court. The eighth victim was an adult team leader.  The victims were caught in the blaze as the canyon suddenly burst into flames as they tried to contain a brush fire.

The boys, whose crimes ranged from petty larceny to manslaughter, were wards of the Juvenile Court. While on probation, they were given jobs with the fire department until they were to be released.

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