Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Thomas Conway |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Captain |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 61 to 70 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 1/30/1932 |
| Cause of Death | Stress/Overexertion |
| Nature of Death | Heart attack |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firehouse duties , Responding to/returning from incident |
Incident Summary
On January 30, 1932, Chicago Fire Department Captain Thomas Conway of Engine 71 suffered a fatal heart attack in the line of duty. He collapsed in his firehouse after receiving a 4-11 extra alarm for a grain elevator fire on Goose Island.
The fire broke out around 2AM in an empty wood and corrugated iron grain elevator. A strong wind rapidly spread the flames through the six-floor elevator and threatened neighboring buildings with blowing embers. The first responding firefighters turned in calls for 2-11, 4-11, and 5-11 extra alarms, bringing hundreds of firefighters to the scene.
Conway had reported feeling ill earlier in the evening, but had been monitoring the extra alarms from his firehouse office. He collapsed from a heart attack shortly after receiving the 4-11 extra alarm, and was dead within ten minutes.
Citations:
“Fire Destroys Elevator on Goose Island,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 30, 1932.
Firefighter and Incident Images
