Historical Fire Events

We honor the sacrifices of two of our own who died in the line of duty while serving with the Town of Kennebunk Fire Rescue Department.

Linwood "Tug" Nedeau – August 14, 1925 - October 16, 1974

Tug NedeauChief Nedeau was driving his truck back to the fire station to grab the 10,000-gallon Fire Department Tanker to respond to a fire in West Kennebunk when he died. Chief Nedeau suffered a fatal heart attack while driving and after sideswiping a few cars came to rest against a building on Main Street. Kennebunk Rescue rushed him to the Webber Hospital in Biddeford where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The fire destroyed the attached barn of the former Arthur Stevens place on Whitten Road and damaged the el of the homestead itself.  

October 16, 2024 at 1:00pm, Kennebunk Fire Rescue held a ceremony in Washington Memorial Park in remembrance of Linwood “Tug” Nedeau.  Chief Nedeau died in the line of duty protecting the Town of Kennebunk 50 years ago today at approximately 1:00pm. View ceremony brochure (PDF). 

Click here to read the news archive including articles from 1958-1974.

Carl S. SpillerCarl S. Spiller – July 16,1906 - October 19, 1951 

Carl S. Spiller was riding the rear tailboard of a Kennebunk Fire Engine responding to a fire when he fell from the Engine striking his head and was killed. This tragic event occurred on October 19th, 1951 and Firefighter Spiller was 45 years old. He is buried at Hope Cemetery.

Riding tailboard was commonplace until the early 1970’s when open cabs and the practice of riding tailboard were outlawed. Many unfortunate events like this paved the way for modern fire apparatus and stricter safety regulations.