An unusual training exercise involving simulated arson sets and live firefighting evolutions in an abandoned farmhouse resulted in the deaths of three volunteer firefighters and injuries to three others.  The incident occurred in Milford Township, Michigan, a rural area approximately 30 miles from Detroit, on October 25, 1987.  Four area volunteer departments participated in the exercise and the fatalities included members of three of the departments.

This incident reinforces many of the lessons on firefighting safety that have been learned in real fires and in several previous incidents at live fire training exercises.  Only five days earlier, a firefighter died in a mishap while igniting a training fire in Hollandale, Minnesota.  National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) records indicate an average of one death per year under similar circumstances, as well as numerous injuries.  Live fire training accidents continue to be a source of unacceptable danger to the fire service in the United States.

This is believed to be the first multiple death training incident in the United States since the adoption of NFPA Standard 1403 in 1986, which specifies safety procedures for live fire training evolutions in structures.  The development of this standard was prompted by earlier tragic incidents, but was delayed by controversy and disagreement over the need for such a document or the wisdom of its requirements.  It is a consensus standard and there is no legal requirement for it to be followed in the State of Michigan.