Firefighter William “Billy” Ruetz

Last Call: Fri, Apr 4th, 1879

Date of Incident: Fri, Apr 4th, 1879

Cause of Death: Structural Collapse

Service Time: 1 year & 6 months

Age: 24

Survivors

Unknown

Incident

The fire that claimed the life of Firefighter Ruetz destroyed an entire city block boarded by Fourth and Fifth Streets and Washington Avenue and Saint Charles. A collapse occurred while several firefighters were on the roof attempting to get hoselines into positon. Captain Frederick Nissen also died in the incident.