Firefighter John Strange

Firefighter Strange, who was assigned to Hose Company #4, died of an apparent heart attack while working at the scene of a fire on First Street that destroyed the George L. Mesker & Company building as well as the Loewenthall's Commission House. Firefighter Gottlieb Surbeck also died when a brick wall collapsed on him and several other firefighters. Firefighter Strange had worked for hours following the collapse and was severely shocked by the fate of his comrades.