FDNY Fire Service Line of Duty Death
March 30, 1905 - LODD
Fireman Samuel Lilley, 38
Engine 38
FDNY. Bronx, New York
Fireman Lilley was killed when he was caught in falling debris in a subway tunnel, as he and other firemen were washing out remains from a fire from the day before.
Box 874 – W 167 St & Broadway.
Fireman Samuel Lilley of Engine 38 lost his life while washing down the remains of a fire from the day before in the subway tunnel at 167th Street. The men were lowered into the tunnel and had just started applying cold water to the embers about the ceiling and the walls of the tunnel, when a mass of bricks and cement began to fall in great quantities. Lilley was struck in the abdomen, crushing the life out of him. As other members tried to rescue their fallen comrades, the roof continued to fall. All of the injured men were removed except for Lilley. The Interborough Section Boss in charge of the tunnel got a rescue crew together and after one half hour of hard work found the lifeless body of Lilley under the rubble. Lilley left three children, the oldest being sixteen years old and the youngest was eight years old. (From "The Last Alarm" by Boucher, Urbanowicz & Melahn, 2007)
RIP. Never forget.
Last edited:
