Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | James Allen |
| Agency | Morris Volunteer Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Volunteer |
| Age Range | 21 to 25 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 3/18/1985 |
| Cause of Death | Contact/Exposure |
| Nature of Death | Asphyxiation , Burns |
| Attribute of Death | Smoke inhalation |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations , Hose operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Morris |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 3/18/1985 |
| Incident Location | Residential |
| Incident Attribute | Basement fires , Explosions , Backdrafts , Fires |
Incident Summary
On March 18, 1985, Firefighter James Allen of the Morris Volunteer Fire Department (now known as the Morris Fire Protection and Ambulance District) died in the line of duty while fighting a residential basement fire. Allen was leading the initial attack line and descending into the basement when a backdraft occurred. Allen suffered fatal injuries in the explosion.
The City of Morris memorialized Allen’s sacrifice with a statue in his likeness that was erected in Chapin Park.
Firefighter and Incident Images
