Engineer James Connell

Last Call: Sat, Nov 13th, 1886

Date of Incident: Sat, Nov 13th, 1886

Cause of Death: Explosion (Accidental)

Service Time: 16 years

Age: 60

Incident

Engineer James Connell died from injuries resulting from a cistern exploding. This incident occurred on 11-13-1886 at the Robinson & Brothers Co. fire. As water was sprayed onto the fire cinders were seen flying through the air. Cinders landed in the cistern causing a great explosion. Engineer Connell of E-1 was killed at the scene, Engineer Hamilton of Engine 5 died from his injuries 15 months later. Both Engine 1 & 5 were drawing water from the same cistern.

The incident occurred at fire alarm box 48, known as the "Fatal 48".