Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Joseph Fell |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | [Unknown] |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 2/9/1928 |
| Cause of Death | Contact/Exposure |
| Nature of Death | Electrocution |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 2/9/1928 |
| Incident Location | Residential |
| Incident Attribute | Basement fires , Electrical hazards , Fires |
Incident Summary
On February 8, 1928, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Joseph Fell of Engine 61 died in the line of duty when he was electrocuted while fighting a residential basement fire on South Wabash Avenue. Firefighters had little trouble extinguishing the small blaze, but five of them came into contact with an exposed live wire as they were leaving the basement. Fell and another firefighter were seriously injured, and the electrical shock also knocked the other three fighters to the floor, but they quickly recovered and were able to pull their two injured colleagues away from the wire. An inhalator squad attempted to revive Fell, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations into the death determined that many of the electrical wires in the building were not properly insulated or fastened.
Citations:
“Five Firemen Felled by Live Wire; 1 Killed,” Chicago Daily Tribune, February 9, 1928.
“Damage Suit May Follow Electrocution of Fireman,” Chicago Daily Tribune, February 10, 1928.
Firefighter and Incident Images
