Firefighters, Survivors Mark Winecoff Hotel Fire Anniversary

ATLANTA - Firefighters and survivors came together for the 65th anniversary of the day when the Winecoff Hotel went up in flames.

The hotel was downtown, across from where Macy’s used to be. It stood 15 stories high – too high for ladder trucks back in 1946.

The fire still stands as the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history; 119 people were killed.

Out of the tragedy, many say there have been great lessons.

Former firefighter Rick Roberts remembers it like it was yesterday. It was cold, in the wee hours of the morning. He said he remembers a woman jumping from the eleventh floor into a firenet held by firefighters.

Some of the 119 victims were still sleep in their beds on the upper floors, victims of smoke inhalation.

While there's no question it was a horrible tragedy, the firefighters and survivors who gathered to remember the day say it’s more about the miracles.

"It is a bittersweet thing. I'm so sorry for all those who lost their lives, but I'm very grateful to God and to Rick [Roberts] for saving mine because I've had a wonderful life," said Connie Broom.

Broom was just a year old when the Winecoff caught fire. Her parents sent her out a window first to firefighters, then they followed.

Her mother says it was quite a scene when she got to the ground and her daughter was nowhere to be found.

"I couldn't find the baby. I was running down Peachtree Street barefooted and looking for the baby. But we did find somebody who was holding her. We found her," she said.

They were some of the lucky ones. Among the dead: 30 children who were attending a mock general assembly, and the developer of the hotel, W.F. Winecoff and his wife. The hotel was touted as fire proof -- 127 rooms, 15 stories -- but fire equipment could only reach the fifth floor.

"The fire service started -- the day after the Winecoff occurred -- started improving, not only here but throughout the world," said firefighter R.D. Sprayberry.

Marvis Broom said her husband had just bought her a new sewing machine. She brought it to Atlanta to show to her friend. He managed to save it, and she still sews on it today.