Shreveport Remembers Tragic Dixie Cold Storage Explosion 40 Years Later
Today, September 17, marks a solemn occasion for the community of Shreveport, Louisiana. It has been exactly 40 years since the tragic explosion at the Dixie Cold Storage facility, a catastrophe that claimed the life of a brave firefighter and left another critically injured. On this day, the city reflected on those harrowing moments and honored the heroism of the firefighters involved.
A Day to Remember
The remembrance ceremony took place on a bright Tuesday morning, with Mayor Tom Arceneaux leading the event, paying tribute to the fallen and injured firefighters. The Dixie Cold Storage itself was a significant establishment in west Shreveport—a sprawling 70,000-square-foot refrigeration warehouse that processed and stored frozen meat products before sending them off to distribution centers.
It was exactly September 17, 1984, when the Shreveport Fire Department’s hazardous-materials unit responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak at the facility. However, they were confronted with a disaster that would resonate through the years. As the firefighters bravely rushed to do their job, they faced a situation no one could have expected.
The Explosion
According to reports, two firefighters became trapped in the room where the explosion took place. Tragically, their protective gear caught fire from the explosion, resulting in severe injuries. One of these courageous firefighters, Captain Percy Johnson, lost his life just 36 hours after the incident. Meanwhile, the other firefighter, who was later identified as Pat Johnson, survived but faced a grueling recovery due to extensive burns covering 80% of his body.
Reflecting on the events of that day, Mike Johnson, the son of Captain Percy Johnson, shared his memories, stating, “My dad had a long road back after being burned. We lost another firefighter in that fire.” These words truly capture the underlying emotions of loss and resilience.
A Legacy of Heroism
By the end of 1984, the community still felt the shock and grief surrounding the tragic incident. Mike Johnson, then just 12 years old, described how losing his father was a defining moment in his life. The young boy had dreams of stepping into his father’s shoes and becoming the Shreveport Fire Chief, but the heartbreaking loss shifted his trajectory entirely. “Losing my dad changed everything,” he noted, underscoring the deep impact that the explosion had not only on families but on the entire community.
Investigation Findings
In the aftermath of the event, an investigation into the circumstances leading to the explosion uncovered three key factors that contributed to the tragedy. These included:
- The failure of warehouse workers to take the necessary precautions to avoid hazardous ammonia accumulation.
- The firefighters’ lack of awareness regarding the dangerous gas buildup in the room.
- The accidental ignition of this hazardous gas during emergency repair operations.
It was also reported that the part of the building where the explosion happened did not have an automatic sprinkler system, which could have potentially mitigated the disaster.
A Community United in Remembrance
As Shreveport reflects on this tragedy 40 years later, the memory of Captain Percy Johnson and the resilience of his family and the surviving firefighter serve as a powerful reminder of the risks faced by those who run towards danger for the sake of others. On a day filled with mixed emotions, the community comes together, ensuring that the bravery of these firefighters is never forgotten.
The somber anniversary serves not only as a reminder of the past but also as an opportunity for the community to rally together, honoring the sacrifices made by their local heroes in a moment of unity and remembrance.
