22 years later:
The sick and the dead

Clarence Banks Junior firefighter, Chester As 16-year-old volunteer, spent at least eight hours at burning dump carrying snacks to firefighters. At 38, had massive stroke triggered by brain tumor in May 1999. Paralyzed on left side, living in a nursing home.

Robert J. Boyle Police officer, Chester Worked traffic and crowd control at fire at least eight hours; chemicals ruined shoes and uniform. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 1988, at 51. Died the next month, March 28, 1988.

David Chakrabarty Chester health officer Rushed to Wade blaze in street clothes, which became soaked in chemicals; stayed several hours collecting samples from grounds. Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1993, at 57. Died Oct. 5, 1994, age 58.

Marvin R. Cherry Fire captain, Chester Fought latter stages of fire; returned at least twice for flare-ups. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of lung in 1981, at 40. Died six months later, April 24, 1982.

Robert Coombs Firefighter, Chester Fought latter stages of fire. During 1980s, cancerous lesions removed from head and neck, when in his early 50s. Found to have lung and throat cancer in 1999, at 74. Died six months later, Aug. 23, 1999.

Harry "Bud" Cornish Firefighter, Chester Fought Wade fire for 20 hours. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of lung in 1986, at 49. Died a year later, Feb. 27, 1987.

Eugene Davis Chester streets worker Moved debris for several hours at fire; in ensuing week, put in three or four more full shifts there. Diagnosed with large cell undifferentiated lung cancer in 1984, at 58. Died Feb. 22, 1986, age 59.

Norman Doyle Volunteer firefighter, Upland Textile worker by trade; part of Upland contingent on Wade fire's front lines. Diagnosed with liver cancer in 1998, at 65. Died Feb. 12, 1998, age 65.

Daniel Elder Police officer, Chester Patrolled dump area for five years before and after fire; on post-fire patrols, walked grounds several times per shift or sat in car on site. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of cecum and colon in 1984, at 34. Still on force.

Thomas Finn Police officer, Chester Patrolled Wade dump numerous times after fire. Diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1999, at 49. Underwent surgery to remove kidney. Retired on disability.

Lawrence Fiorelli Police officer, Chester Spent more than eight hours at fire, stood in smoke on Commodore Barry Bridge; returned to scene for at least three more full shifts. Diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia in 1985, at 38. Died Aug. 7, 1986, age 40.

John 'Junior' Francis Firefighter, Chester Fought fire at least eight hours. Diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of larynx and melanoma on sole of foot in 1978, at 55; with adenocarcinoma of cecum (part of large intestine) in 1991. Died June 16, 1992, age 69.

Robert 'Bobby' Goins Police officer, Chester Spent at least nine hours at fire, including traffic detail on bridge. Diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoid, a lung-scarring disease, by 1993, at 46. Retired on disability.

Atwood Griffin Volunteer firefighter, Chester Sheet metal mechanic by trade; fought fire at least six hours. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of chest wall in 1980, at 53. Died July 9, 1980, age 54.

William P. Hamilton Police captain, Chester At fire three to four hours; patrolled site before and after blaze. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of lung in 1984, at 55; with cancer of pancreas, unrelated to the lung cancer, in 1988. Died Feb. 2, 1989, age 60.

Rudell 'Rudy' Hollis Firefighter, Chester At Wade fire, had to be rescued after falling into chemical pool inside warehouse. Developed kidney failure in 1983, at 33. Underwent transplant in 1996. Still on dialysis. Unemployed.

Richard V. Jones Police officer, Chester Twice in week after fire, patrolled site in street clothes; feet soaked by chemicals. Diagnosed with melanoma on left foot in 1979, at 43. Retired.

Michael J. Joyce Police officer, Chester Helped secure blazing dump; patrolled site afterward and returned for at least one flare-up. Diagnosed with melanoma on lower right leg in 1990, at 44. Cancer spread to lungs and brain. Died Feb. 1, 1993, age 46.

John T. 'Jack' Lewis Police officer, Chester Helped secure fire scene; patrolled dump afterward. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 1985, at 41. Died July 1, 1986, age 42.

Gary McClelland Junior firefighter, Chester As 17-year-old volunteer, fought fire about seven hours; fell into chemical pit. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, at 23. Currently a registered nurse.

Edward McClintock Volunteer fire chief, Upland Painter and construction worker by trade; led front-line contingent. Diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer in 15 locations on upper body by 1990, at 66. Retired; still being treated.

James McDonald Fire captain, Chester Fought the fire through the night. Diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease in 1980, at 49; with adenocarcinoma of lung in 1989, at 58. Died March 5, 1991, age 60.

Richard McGinn Firefighter, Chester Worked blaze about 15 hours; returned for flare-up two days later. Diagnosed with precancerous lesions across arms, neck and back in 1985, at 50; with adenocarcinoma of colon by 1992. Died June 29, 1992, age 57.

Vincent 'Moose' McLaughlinFire captain, Chester Fought fire for 20 hours; returned next day to extinguish smoldering debris, fell into chemicals. Diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1983, at 44. Died Dec. 2, 1987, age 48.

Robert Ogden Volunteer fire chief, Chester Hardware store manager; directed volunteers at fire. Diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis in 1995, at 64. Died June 28, 1996, age 65.

Cleven W. Pender Firefighter, Chester While fighting fire, entered warehouse to gather chemical samples. Developed kidney failure by 1992, at 40. Kidney transplant in June 1996 unsuccessful. Died July 7, 1996, age 44.

Thomas O. Pilkington Police officer, Chester Stationed atop bridge in heavy smoke and fumes, then worked traffic control; gathered chemical samples with Chakrabarty. Diagnosed with ALS and peripheral neuropathy in 1990, at 45. Died Aug. 13, 1993, age 49.

George Reilly Volunteer firefighter, Upland Part of Upland contingent on fire's front lines. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 1980, at 63. Died Jan. 21, 1981, age 64.

John Renninger U.S. postal worker Mail route for 12 years included Wade dump site. Diagnosed with anaplastic oat cell lung cancer in 1982, at 40. Died Aug. 1, 1983, age 41.

William Richard Spent 16 hours at scene treating firefighters in ambulance parked under Commodore Barry Bridge. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in 1980, at 29. Still working as paramedic.

Ronald Stevens Firefighter, Chester Among those who fought fire inside warehouse. Developed kidney disease by 1993, at 46. One kidney removed. Retired on disability.

Bernard 'Stump' Swanson Volunteer firefighter, Chester Machine operator; fought Wade fire eight to 12 hours. Diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer in 1979, at 42. Died Nov. 25, 1979, age 42.

William 'Bobo' Swanson Volunteer firefighter, Chester Water meter reader; battled blaze five to six hours. On dialysis for kidney failure by 1989, at 58. Diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease in 1990. Died Jan. 3, 1991, age 60.

William Taylor Police officer, Chester Worked traffic and crowd control at fire; afterward, often patrolled site. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1994, at 49. Retired.

Donald Tees Stayed at fire scene 17 hours, treating firefighters in smoke-filled ambulance. Diagnosed with brain cancer in 1988, at 38. Underwent two operations and radiation. Tumor remains in inoperable location. Unemployed.

Frank Trasatti Jr. Firefighter, Chester Specific duties at fire unknown. Diagnosed with liver cancer in 1995, at 66. Died Dec. 5, 1995, age 66.

Joseph H. Vandergrift Chester streets superintendent Supervised streets crews at fire and during following week. Diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer in 1983, at 68. Lung removed. Died May 23, 1992, age 77.

Robert Lee Walker Police officer, Chester Spent eight hours near dump's front gate during fire and entered smoky office. Diagnosed with aplastic anemia by 1982, at 53. Retired on disability.

Curtis Weigand Firefighter, Chester Fought fire overnight. Diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease in 1979, at 47. Died Jan. 10, 1986, age 54.

David J. Wojs Firefighter, Chester One of most aggressive firefighters on scene. By 1994, at 41, was suffering undiagnosed symptoms he believed to be lupus. Died of self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sept. 3, 1997, age 43.

Thomas Worrilow Police officer, Chester At Wade gate about five hours during fire; next day, walked grounds. Diagnosed with melanoma on inner forearm in 1985, at 35; with basal cell cancer on back in 1987. Currently a Delaware County detective.

Mark Zukowski Junior firefighter, Chester As 18-year-old volunteer, spent about 24 hours fighting Wade fire. Diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of esophagus in 1992, at 33. Died May 9, 1993, age 34.