FDNY Fire Service Line of Duty Death
April 14, 1901 - LODD
Fireman James E. Nugent, 27
Ladder 104
FDNY. Brooklyn, New York
Firefighter James E. Nugent died as a result of the severe smoke inhalation he suffered the previous day while operating at a fire 156 Hewes Street.
Fireman James E. Nugent of Ladder 54 (now Ladder 104) on South 3rd Street was injured at 156 Hewes Street. He had a daring disposition and his entire ambition was to become attached to the Fire Department. His wishes were granted when he was appointed to Ladder 54 on April 1, 1901. When Ladder 54 reached the burning dwelling, Assistant Foreman McKenna called for axes and entered the house. They halted at the floor above the parlor and were followed by members of Engine 121 with a line of hose. Without waiting to be ordered, Nugent rushed past McKenna and made his way to the floor above. While he was engaged in chopping away some of the woodwork, the hose was turned upon the blaze and in a moment the room was filled with steam and suffocating smoke. Nugent was overcome and was found later by McKenna. He was carried in an insensible condition to the street, where a neighboring physician, who considered Nugent’s injuries of trifling character, attended him. He was taken to the hospital were he died four hours later. (From "The Last Alarm" by Boucher, Urbanowicz & Melahn, 2006)
RIP. Never forget.
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