IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

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 Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Bloomington
Incident State IL
Incident Date 7/9/1909
Incident Location Public assembly
Incident Attribute Fires

Incident Summary

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.


Firefighter and Incident Images

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Firefighter and Incident Audio

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