Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Thomas Carney |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Truckman |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | [Unknown] |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 8/28/1916 |
| Cause of Death | Contact/Exposure |
| Nature of Death | Burns |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 8/23/1916 |
| Incident Location | Industry/ Manufacturing |
| Incident Attribute | Explosions , Fires |
Incident Summary
On August 23, 1916, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Thomas J. Carney of Truck 4 was fatally injured in the line of duty while fighting a fire at the Standard Oil Company plant on 16th Street. The building, located at the tracks of the Santa Fe Railway, housed steel tanks containing more than 30,000 gallons of gasoline and kerosene.
Aware of the danger posed by the gasoline, firefighters from six truck companies were advancing hose lines into the plant when it exploded. The civilian plant foreman was killed in the explosion, and eight firefighters, including Carney, suffered burn injuries.
Carney died from his injuries on August 28, and his funeral was held at Annunciation Church on August 31.
Citations:
“Standard Oil Explosion Kills One; Hurts Nine,” Chicago Daily Tribune, August 24, 1916.
Obituary of Thomas Carney, Chicago Daily Tribune, August 29, 1916.
Obituary of Thomas Carney, Chicago Daily Tribune, August 30, 1916.
Firefighter and Incident Images
