| Name | Thomas Bleich |
| Agency | Springfield Fire Department |
| Rank | Driver |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 36 to 40 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 11/10/1923 |
| Cause of Death | Thrown from vehicle |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Emergency vehicle operations , Responding to/returning from incident |
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Springfield |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 11/10/1923 |
| Incident Location | Street/Road |
| Incident Attribute | Traffic accidents |
On November 10, 1923, Firefighter Thomas L. Bleich of the Springfield Fire Department died in the line of duty while responding to a grass fire on Ninth Street.
Bleich, the fire chief’s driver, was fatally injured when the vehicle he was driving collided with a hose wagon at the intersection of Jefferson and Sixth Streets. Bleich was thrown from the vehicle and he struck his head on a gasoline pipe protruding from the ground. Bleich was transported to St. John’s Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later.
Funeral services for Bleich were held in St. Louis, and were attended by a delegation from the Springfield Fire Department.
A member of the department for thirteen years, Bleich was survived by his parents and six siblings.
Citations:
“Thomas L. Bleich Dies of Injuries in Corner Crash,” Illinois State Register, November 11, 1923.
“Fireman Paid Final Tribute,” Illinois State Register, November 12, 1923.