Join Us for a Special Book Launch Event!

Friends of Firefighters invites you to our firehouse to celebrate the launch of Hell’s Hundred Acres, a gripping historical novel by retired FDNY Captain Andrew Serra.

Set against the backdrop of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, the book vividly captures the lives of those impacted by one of New York City’s most tragic events. With richly detailed storytelling and compelling characters, Hell’s Hundred Acres is a tribute to courage, resilience, and the enduring legacy of firefighters.

Hell's Hundred Acres Synopsis

March 25, 1911. Hundreds of seamstresses are hard at work on the upper floors of a ten-story factory loft. The workday ends and Esther Greenberg stands from her sewing machine and heads for the stairs, looking forward to her plans for that Saturday evening. “Fire!” someone shouts, and Esther sees smoke outside the windows. The building is ablaze and she’s trapped nine stories up.

Charlie Pendergrass has learned a great deal since becoming a fireman—about the job and himself. But he must decide what kind of future he wants, and he just might lose it all to the flames.

From the irascible fire chief Edward Croker to the ruthless business magnate Max Blanck, Hell’s Hundred Acres is the richly detailed story of the disparate lives that intersected at one of the deadliest tragedies in New York City history—the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire.

About the Author

Andrew Serra spent twenty-five years with the New York City Fire Department, retiring as the captain of Ladder 20 in SoHo—Hell’s Hundred Acres. He is the author of several historical novels and the 9/11 memoir, Finding John. He’s appeared on FOX-5 NY Good Day Wake Up, NY1 News Around the Boroughs, and been featured on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Hell's Hundred Acres Book Launch at Friends of Firefighters