Firefighter Francis P. “Frank” McNellis

Firefighter McNellis died while he was on fire watch in the watch tower on the fourteenth floor of the Studebaker Building. When another firefighter was sent to relieve Firefighter McNellis, he found him lying across the gas pipe key. After shutting off the gas, there was an explosion from his lantern. The fire was quickly extinguished. It was believed that Firefighter McNellis accidently turned on the gas with his chair as he moved in the small room. When he bent down to turn off the gas, he was overcome by the fumes.

The father of Firefighter McNellis, Captain James McNellis also died in the Line of Duty on May 10, 1899 after he came in contact with a live wire at a fire scene.