Photograph by Bob Battis

The Elliott Chambers Fire Memorial Foundation:

The Elliott Chambers Fire Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to memorialize the victims of the historic fire that took the lives of 15 people on July 4, 1984. The foundation was formed in 2009. The memorial was dedicated on July 1, 2010 before a crowd of 100 people which included families, friends & community leaders.

The foundation was formed in 2009 by 3 Beverly residents,

Amanda Mazzaglia, 

Amanda Mazzaglia 

Then City Councilor

John Burke, 

John J. Burke

And

Documentary Filmmaker

James Maroney.

James Maroney shooting the demolition of the Elliott Chambers building in June of 2009.
photo by Ian Hurley

Wicked Local

On Monday, March 2, 2009, the Beverly Planning Board voted 7-0 to approve construction of a 13,000-square-foot CVS Pharmacy with a drive-through pharmacy. The CVS officially opened in February of 2010.

Image courtesy of Kevin Paton of BKS Architects, Inc.

The Memorial:

Mazzaglia, Burke and Maroney asked the Beverly Planning Board to include space for a natural stone memorial and bronze plaque with the names of the 15 people who lost their lives in the fire. The approved plan allows for the memorial within a 30-square-foot section at the corner of Elliott and Rantoul Street. Two benches are along side the memorial.

Tom "Satch" Kerans performing his original song, Elliott 15

photo by Michael Naimo

Satch has recorded original music that will be
featured in the upcoming documentary.

Included are songs such as Sweet Little Ralph, Elliot 15, and (Dry Your Eyes) It's The Fourth of July.

Please click this link to read a news article on

the memorial dedication held July 1, 2010.

The bronze plaque on a blue stone was dedicated on

November 17, 2011
in memory of Ralph Nickerson who attended the Fairview Elementary School in Auburn, Maine. Ralph a fourth grade student died in the Elliott Chambers fire at the age of 9 when he was visiting his beloved grandmother Hattie Whary for the 4th of July holiday in 1984.

Hattie and Ralph's brother Rick Nickerson also perished in the fire. The community of Auburn now has a place to remember Ralph with a memorial placed under a beautiful cherry tree at the entrance of the school.

The Documentary:

 "Fire at Davis Drug"

 Remembering the

 Elliott Chambers Fire

 July 4, 1984

Film Premiere 2021

Emmy-Award winning Photographer James Maroney is producing a documentary honoring the memory of those who perished in the fire. The documentary will be released in 2021. Stay tuned for premiere at a local theater on the North Shore of Boston.

James Maroney Filmmaker

Remembering the Elliott Chambers Fire documentary will include interviews with firefighters, community leaders, survivors, witnesses, family members, and friends.

To contribute photographs, video, or testimony to this effort, please see the "contribute" page.

photo by Bob Battis

Maureen Troubetaris former Beverly City Councilor

placing one of 15 roses

(in memory of the victims)

Elliott Chambers Memorial dedication on July 1, 2010.

photo by Michael Naimo

photo by Michael Naimo