On this day (January 27, 1988) 21 years ago, Firefighter Al Sondej entered a burning house at 2020 Wardman Rd in Avondale as part of the crew of Truck 1 for a report of people trapped. As Al was searching, flames suddenly engulfed the room and Firefighter Sondej.

It was later determined the lone occupant had escaped the house just prior to Sondej's arrival. Sondej received burns over most of his body and was transported to the Washington Hospital Center MedStar Burn Unit with third-degree burns. He remained there until his death on March 16, 1988 from burn complications.

Remember Al and stay safe.