Golden Pheasant Restaurant Fire — Four Firefighters Perished

February 16, 1964. Four Dallas firefighters lost their lives at a five alarm fire. This was the worst tragedy in the history of the Dallas Fire Department. The July 1964, issue of the Dallas Firefighter Newspaper gives complete details. The fire began in the basement, and the four firefighters were missing after the first floor of the restaurant, made of terrazzo on three inches of concrete, collapsed. Chief L.C. Briscoe later said, as he made his way from the wooden staircase at the back of the restaurant to the front entrance, I had to run uphill all the way to the front entrance to escape. Rescue efforts continued until late that afternoon.