There’s something about fire stations that scream haunted, isn’t there? It’s hard to explain but we’ve almost accepted that fire stations hold some sort of paranormal element that no one can explain. Even in researching this list, we were surprised by how many fire stations have a reputation for the supernatural. But it’s true, haunted fire stations do exist and it’s no surprise given their respective pasts.

As much as we love a good haunted fire station story, too often do we forget that firefighters live there. The bumps and creeks in the night that amuse us can frighten even the most brave firefighter. Can you blame them? We certainly don’t.

15 Haunted Fire Stations With Firefighter Ghost Stories

1. Station No. 1 (Denver, Colorado)

Station No. 1 was built in 1909 and now serves as the Denver Firefighters Museum in downtown Denver. While visitors to the museum come and go daily, there are a few inhabitants who permanently remain.

Some believe that Thomas, the last horse-keeper of the firehouse, was removing the basement’s installation, making staff offices cold. Turns out it was a misunderstanding, as Thomas mistook the basement of the firehouse for the nearby horse stalls, and the friendly ghost just wanted to see his horses again. Another ghost, Caleb, haunts the museum’s supply closet as he is reportedly buried underneath. Known as “Caleb’s Closet,” employees simply leave it alone.

But another story at Station No.1 centers around the museum’s 9/11 memorial. Ghost hunters investigating the museum heard words like “remember” and “disaster” on a spirit box near the exhibit. A friend of the investigators then saw his cousin’s name highlighted by sunlight on a list of names of those who passed away. After sunset, security footage captured a glowing orb near the memorial in what looked like the spirit interacting with the list of names.

2. Fire Engine Company 107 (Chicago, Illinois)

Legend of the Chicago firehouse is largely centered on a ghostly handprint with a seemingly unknown explanation and a window with an uncertain history.

In 1924, a call came in about a massive fire at a four-story brick building in town. A firefighter named Francis Leavy was washing a window, stopped what he was doing, and grabbed his gear. As firefighters worked to contain the emergency, the building collapsed. Eight firefighters were killed, including Leavy. 

Remember that window Mr. Leavy was washing before the fire? Well, the next day a fellow firefighter noticed a handprint in the middle of the window. They tried everything to remove the print, including a professional chemical solvent—but the handprint would not budge. It was widely accepted that it was the handprint of Francis Leavy after his thumbprint—obtained through personal records—matched the print on the window.

3. Long Beach Engine Company No. 12 (Long Beach, California)

Known as the “Ghost House,” Station 12 is said to be inhabited by John “Smokey” Makemson, a firefighter who died of natural causes in the station in 1988. There are conflicting reports about Smokey’s ghost, with some who have experienced him claiming he’s friendly, pranking firefighters by moving things off shelves and even helping find lost items. 

But another more sinister side of whoever haunts Station 12 looms over its living inhabitants. Firefighters have reported waking in the middle of the night unable to move or speak, and the occasional blood-curdling scream has also been reported.

4. Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Station 4 (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Station 4 suspects that a firefighter named Benjamin Bishop who died in the 1970s is the culprit behind the hauntings. And more, Mr. Bishop may have moved to the new station along with his living firefighting colleagues. There’s nothing to be afraid of with Bishop, as firefighters and locals all report strange occurrences that they simply chalk up to him pulling pranks like opening doors, moving equipment, and throwing objects.

5. Fire Station No. 3 (Frankfort, Illinois)

This haunted firehouse appeared on an episode of A&E’s Paranormal Cops and is said to be haunted by the spirit of a man named Erwin Yunker. Yunker owned a farm implement business on the site and died in 1996 from a heart attack. Firefighters report seeing a shadowy figure stalk the halls and bays of the firehouse, and the Paranormal Cops crew reported singing, with some even experiencing nausea.

6. Station No. 4 (Lexington, Kentucky)

Built in 1904, Station No. 4 claims that the ghost of Henry McDonald haunts the house. McDonald died in his sleep at the station in 1945 on Christmas Day. McDonald isn’t considered evil and firefighters have nicknamed him “The Captain.” They experience a host of various unexplained happenings including heavy boots walking up the stairs, a creaking rocking chair rumored to be McDonald, and even sightings in an upstairs window by neighbors.

7. Fire Station No. 9 (El Paso, Texas)

For the firefighters who serve out of Station No. 9 , there’s no question it’s haunted. “It’s over 100 years old, and we are haunted,” Station No. 9 firefighter Jesse Esterline told KFOX14. “If you’re here long enough you become a believer,” Esterline said.

It’s reported that a former captain from the 1930’s, named Woodard Bloxom, still hasn’t given up his post decades later. Bloxom passed away at the station after suffering injuries at a fire across the street. Today, occurrences like doors slamming and floors creaking are all too common. Firefighters even report chains rattling from a punching bag that apparently swings on its own.

8. Fire Station No. 11 (El Paso, Texas)

If you have to spend the night at Station No. 11, there’s one particular bed to absolutely avoid. And that’s not coming from us, but rather resident Station No. 11 firefighters. Those who have attempted to get some shut eye in this particular bed have reported violent shaking, blankets being pulled, and a looming presence.

One firefighter who somehow lasted four months in the bed had sleep problems and a strange cough—all subsiding after he switched beds.

9. Old Station 6 (Charleston, South Carolina)

When a Battalion Chief says the house is haunted, the house is most likely haunted. “Sometimes I brush it off as nothing, but then sometimes you know, the hair on the back of your neck stands up,” Battalion Chief Alkahabir Smith told WCBD-TV 2 Charleston.

While different theories exist for the origins of these hauntings, a popular one claims the firehouse may be inhabited by the spirit of a person killed in a nearby train accident. Firefighters of the former firehouse experienced unexplained sounds, feelings of being watched, objects moving on their own, and bathroom faucets randomly turning on and off.

10. Engine House 35 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

If you build a fire station over an old mausoleum, chances of hauntings are high. That’s exactly what firefighters at Engine House 35 believe since their station is built over the old Fairview Mausoleum. They are now convinced that the spirits once housed at the mausoleum now call their station home. 

Unexplained occurrences include faucets turning on by themselves, laptops randomly playing music, pots and pans flying off the stove, and even sightings, including one where a firefighter saw a man in a hat and vest. Another firefighter reported to have been pressed down in bed while sleeping in the basement, waking up with a bruise.

11. MacDill Air Force Base Fire Station 1 (Tampa, Florida)

While renovations at Fire Station 1 may have gotten rid of the purported spirit, one can’t be too sure. The station is one of the oldest buildings on the base and firefighters have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing unexplained noises, feeling a presence watching over them, and even being pinned down to their beds. While there’s no confirmation on exactly who this entity might be, some speculate it could be the ghost of a firefighter who died at the station.

12. Fire Station No. 4 (Charlotte, North Carolina)

No longer used as a fire station, this Charlotte firehouse is rumored to be haunted by a former firefighter named Pruitt L. Black. While responding to a call, Black apparently slipped and fell to his death from the second floor of the house. The building has since been used for storage, offices, and a museum, but visitors all report smelling cigar smoke, something associated with Black.

13. Fire Station 55 (Bangor, Maine)

As Fire Station 55 earned itself a much needed renovation, firefighters came out to tell their tales of a paranormal entity they believe haunts the old firehouse. One firefighter reported the exact day and time the entity sat on his chest for a few minutes before letting him free. And as construction crews began work on the project, one firefighter noted a comical occurrence whereby one of the demolition machines stopped working. He believed it could have been the firehouse’s ghost attempting to squash demolition efforts.

14. Fire Station No. 3  (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) 

After some investigating, firefighters learned of a young firefighter, named Robert Knight, who was electrocuted when on call to a fire. While not proven, it’s the best idea people have for who may be behind the hauntings of Fire Station No. 3. Firefighters report lights suddenly flickering on and off, things behind thrown off tables, a mysterious reflection on the TV screen, and even the occasional sighting through windows. While the old house has turned into a museum, firefighters who worked there claim the hauntings are friendly.

15. Sayreville Firehouse (Sayreville, New Jersey)

This 100-year-old building has been vacant since 2018. But for residents of the afterlife, this firehouse has served as a home. Evidence of paranormal activity include EMF readings, toys lighting up, figures captured on cameras, and even a medium who suspected a strong presence. The Sayreville Historical Society seeks to restore the historic building but one area will remain untouched—the basement jail cells where a presence was felt.