Name | Flurrence Colton |
Agency | Bloomington Fire Department |
Rank | Firefighter |
Type of Firefighter | Career |
Age Range | [Unknown] |
Sex | Male |
Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
Date of Death | 9/18/1912 |
Cause of Death | Struck by object |
Nature of Death | [Unknown] |
Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
Type of Duty | Firefighting operations |
Incident Name | N/A |
Incident City | Bloomington |
Incident State | IL |
Incident Date | 7/9/1909 |
Incident Location | Public assembly |
Incident Attribute | Fires |
On September 18, 1912, Bloomington Fire Department firefighter Flurrence Colton died after sustaining injuries while in performance of his duties at a fire at the Grand Opera House on July 9, 1909.
The Grand Opera House Fire began across the street at the Smith chop house. By the time firefighters had arrived the fire had spread to the second floor of the Opera House. Coupled with the speed of the fire was compounded with poor water pressure coming from the fire hydrants, making the hoses unable to reach the top of the Opera House. Colton sustained bruises to his abdomen at the fire and despite four operations to address his injuries over 3 years, he succumbed to his injuries. Besides the Opera House, fifteen other establishments suffered physical and financial losses.
Citations:
“Grand Opera House Demolished By Fire,” The Pantagraph, May 3, 1909.
“Dead Fireman Honored,” The Pantagraph, September 23, 1912.