IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name Ransom Lewis
Agency Belleville Fire Department
Rank Pipeman
Type of Firefighter [Unknown]
Age Range 31 to 35
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/1878
Date of Death 7/3/1911
Cause of Death Vehicle collision
Nature of Death Trauma
Attribute of Death [not applicable]
Type of Duty Responding to/returning from incident

Incident Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Belleville
Incident State IL
Incident Date 7/3/1911
Incident Location Street/Road
Incident Attribute Traffic accidents

Incident Summary

On July 3rd, 1911, pipeman/hoseman Ransom Lewis of the Belleville Fire Department died in the line of duty.

Around 9:40 p.m. on July 3rd, the West Side Hose Reel’s Company #2 was responding to a report of a fire at a stable. On the way to the fire, the hose company was struck by an Illinois Central train at the Union Avenue crossing in Belleville.

Lewis was on the rear footboard of the apparatus, and became pinned between the train and hose reel. He sustained serious injuries and died in transit to the hospital.

Lewis had been a member of the Belleville Fire Department for four months when he died. He was survived by his widow and son.


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