Patrick Haley
Killed in the Line of Duty
December 25, 1909
| Fire Company |
Engine 06
|
|
| Cause of Death |
Gas Explosion
|
|
| At Fire Box Number |
|
|
| Incident Type |
Explosion
|
|
| Incident Location |
Engine 06 Basement
|
|
In May 1909 Engine 06 had relocated to its new fire station at Pearl and
Martin Streets. Recent scheduling changes gave firefighters every fifth day
off. 91 substitute firefighters had been made regular during the year to
fill the schedule. Stretched thin on manpower around the holidays, outside
substitutes were employed to fill open spaces in the fire department.
Patrick Haley was called into service in this role at Engine 06 on December
22, 1909. A smell of gas in quarters caused Haley and Captain Newman to
check the basement. While in the cellar something sparked an explosion.
Haley and Newman were rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital. Haley had
sustained severe burns. He was in agony and remained medicated at the
hospital until he died on Christmas Day 1909. Due to his status as an
outside sub, Haley’s widow was denied a department pension.