BROOKLYN FIRE DEPT (PRE-FDNY) Line of Duty Deaths
June 22, 1884 - LODD's
Acting Foreman Jonathan Tyack, 45 - BFD H&L 6 (FDNY L 106)
Firemen, Private George W. Haight, 37 - BFD Engine 15 (FDNY E 215)
Brooklyn Fire Deparftment, New York
"The fire started when a hot brick from one of the ovens on the second floor of Herseman's Bakery dropped to the floor below. It landed in the stable, igniting some hay. The fire gained headway before it was noticed. Workers went into the stables to release the forty-four horses but were driven back by the flames. Thirty-three of the horses were released, eleven were killed. Acting Foreman Jonathan Tyack and Fireman Stephen Allen and Firemen George W. Haight were ordered to add another section of hose to the line operating in the rear of the bakery. The three men entered the alleyway between the fire building and the adjoining building with the extra hose. The four walls of the building swayed before the roof fell in, pushing the walls out and burying the helpless firemen. Acting Foreman Tyack was found under six feet of bricks with his skull crushed. Fireman Haight was found badly burned. Fireman Allen was injured but escaped with only a broken leg when he was thrown into a doorway and through the door of the next building. Acting Foreman Tyack and Fireman Haight both lived on Meserole Avenue in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Acting Forman Tyack was forty-five years old, was married and the father of four children. Fireman Haight lost his wife several weeks earlier; they left three children orphaned. The fire from the time it was discovered until the building collapsed was less than fifteen minutes."
Brooklyn Fireman George W. Haight killed, along with Acting Foreman (Lieutenant) Jonathan Tyack (who is also buried in this plot) under a falling wall in the Herseman Bakery Fire of June 22, 1884. 292 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211.
Lt. Jonathan Tyack, Fireman George W. Haight and Fireman Stephen Allen were ordered to add another section of hose to the line operating in the rear of the burning bakery. The three men had just entered the alley between the bakery and the adjoining building, dragging their extra line, when the wall of the bakery came down on them.
The body of Lt. Tyack was found under six feet of bricks and was badly bruised and discolored. Fireman Haight's body was next to be discovered and was badly burned. Fireman Allen was injured but escaped with his life when he was thrown into, and through, the door into the next building.
The inscription reads:
"In memory of George W. Haight of Engine Co. 15 BROOKLYN FIRE DEPARTMENT Who was killed in the discharge of his duty as a fireman at a fire on Graham Avenue, corner of Powers Street on June 22, 1884. Aged 37 years, 6 months. Erected by his brother firemen of the Brooklyn Fire Department as a token of respect to a departed brother, who nobly perished in the discharge of his duty" (NOTE THE STONE FIRE HYDRANT ON THE PLOT)∼The fire started when a hot brick from one of the ovens on the second floor of Herseman's Bakery dropped to the floor below. It landed in the stable, igniting some hay. The fire gained headway before it was noticed. Workers went into the stables to release the forty-four horses but were driven back by the flames. Thirty-three of the horses were released, eleven were killed. Acting Foreman Jonathan Tyack and Fireman Stephen Allen and Firemen George W. Haight were ordered to add another section of hose to the line operating in the rear of the bakery. The three men entered the alleyway between the fire building and the adjoining building with the extra hose. The four walls of the building swayed before the roof fell in, pushing the walls out and burying the helpless firemen. Acting Foreman Tyack was found under six feet of bricks with his skull crushed. Fireman Haight was found badly burned. Fireman Allen was injured but escaped with only a broken leg when he was thrown into a doorway and through the door of the next building. Acting Foreman Tyack and Fireman Haight both lived on Meserole Avenue in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn. Acting Forman Tyack was forty-five years old, was married and the father of four children. Fireman Haight lost his wife several weeks earlier; they left three children orphaned. The fire from the time it was discovered until the building collapsed was less than fifteen minutes. (from The Last Alarm, by Boucher, Urbanowicz & Melahn)
RIP. Never forget.
