Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Patrick O'Neill |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Pipeman |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | [Unknown] |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 2/23/1899 |
| Cause of Death | Struck by object |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 2/23/1899 3:0 |
| Incident Location | Storage |
| Incident Attribute | Structural collapses , Fires |
Incident Summary
On February 23, 1899, Chicago Fire Department Pipeman Patrick F. O’Neill of Engine 49 died in the line of duty while fighting a warehouse fire at Broadway and Center Avenue. O’Neill was crushed to death when a wall collapsed.
Shortly after 3AM, the fire was discovered on the ground floor of the eight-story brick warehouse partially occupied by Swift & Co. Strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and more than thirty-five fire companies responded to the 4-11 fire alarm.
Citations:
“Fireman Dies at His Post,” Chicago Daily Tribune, February 23, 1899.
Firefighter and Incident Images
