Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Francis Horan |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 51 to 55 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 9/2/1939 |
| Cause of Death | Stress/Overexertion |
| Nature of Death | Heart attack |
| Attribute of Death | Smoke inhalation |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 9/2/1939 |
| Incident Location | Store/Office |
| Incident Attribute | Fires |
Incident Summary
On September 2, 1939, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Francis “Frank” J. Horan of Truck 35 died in the line of duty after he suffered a heart attack while fighting a fire in the drying room of the Suds Wet Wash Laundry on North Pulaski Road.
The original cause of the fire was unclear, but a series of small explosions spread flames throughout the laundry’s drying room. Horan was among the first firefighters to arrive on scene, and he was actively fighting the fire when he collapsed. He was transported to St. Anne’s Hospital, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Funeral services for Horan were held at St. Veronica’s Church on September 5, and he was buried at All Saints Cemetery.
Citations:
“Fireman Killed, Another Hurt in Laundry Blaze,” Chicago Daily Tribune, September 2, 1939.
“Inquiry Ordered in Laundry Blaze Killing Fireman,” Chicago Daily Tribune, September 3, 1939.
Obituary of Francis J. Horan, Chicago Daily Tribune, September 3, 1939.
Firefighter and Incident Images
