Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Patrick Bowler |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 36 to 40 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 2/24/1978 |
| Cause of Death | Fall , Contact/Exposure |
| Nature of Death | Trauma , Burns |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Search and rescue operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 2/24/1978 |
| Incident Location | Residential |
| Incident Attribute | Fires |
Incident Summary
On February 24, 1978, Firefighter Patrick Bowler of the Chicago Fire Department died in the line of duty during a house fire on West 18th Street. A member of Flying Squad 4, Bowler entered the burning building after it was mistakenly reported that three children were trapped inside. Bowler became trapped inside the building, and jumped out a third floor window to the sidewalk below to escape the flames and smoke. Suffering from multiple fractures and third-degree burns, Bowler was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Bowler’s funeral was held at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, and Engine 23 carried his body to St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Citations:
“Fireman dies from injuries suffered in West Side fire,” Chicago Tribune, February 25, 1978.
George Estep, “Family, firemen mourn one of own,” Chicago Tribune, February 28, 1978.
Firefighter and Incident Images
