6 Members E 251 - LODDs - Feb 1920 - Brooklyn Union Gas Co Fire -Box 33-543

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mack

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On March 3, 1920, two more members of Engine 251 died from burns received February 26, 1920.  6 members of Engine 251 died in the line of duty as a result of this fire:

A small fire took place earlier in the evening on a barge moored in the Wallabout Canal. Engine Co. 251 was ordered to stay behind to ensure the barge fire was extinguished.  An hour later an oil tank exploded. It is believed a stray ember from the barge reached oil seeping into the river from the oil tank. Engine 251 was trapped in a pump house and engulfed by a sea of fire.  6  members were killed.

FIREFIGHTER THOMAS F. BRENNAN ENG 251, died FEBRUARY 26, 1920, BURNT TO DEATH
FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL KARKEL ENG 251, died FEBRUARY 26, 1920, BURNT TO DEATH
FIREFIGHTER JAMES BRENNAN ENG 251, injured FEB. 26, 1920, died FEBRUARY 28, 1920, BURNS
FIREFIGHTER FRANK CALLMEYER ENG 251, injured FEB. 26, 1920, died MARCH 3, 1920 BURNS
FIREFIGHTER JAMES J. HUGHES (1), ENGINE 251, injured FEB. 26, died 1920 MARCH 3, 1920
CAPTAIN SAMUEL BROWN, ENG 251, Injured FEB. 26, 1920 died Mar. 26, 1920 Box # 33-543, 556 KENT AVE.  BURNS



 
68jk09

68jk09

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mack .....Thank You ...excellent history post.....CONTINUED RIP TO THE SIX......the 4 Hospitals mentioned in the article all were closed in the late '60s/early '70s & replaced by 1 which is Woodhull on Flushing Av & Broadway.
 
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manhattan

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Thank you for this post.  Too often, those who have died before current memory are forgotten and relegated to history.  Their deaths, and sacrifices, are no less because of the passage of time.
 
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johnd248

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Unusual box number for that area.  Would normally be in the 300 range.  The 500 range of boxes is in downtown Brooklyn and Cobble Hill area.
 
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mack

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johnd248 - I think you are correct about the listed Box for this incident.

- Box/location listed on FDNY web site (LODDs) is "Box # 33-543, 556 KENT AVE."
- Actual Bklyn Box 543 location is Smith St and President St (Carroll Gardens section)
- Looks like nearest box to the waterfront explosion would be Bklyn Box 308, Kent Avenue at Clymer St.


Site as it looks today:


Engine 251 was located at 48 Washington Ave back then. (thanks johnd248)

 
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johnd248

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Not to nit pick but I believe E 251 was on Washington Avenue, just off Flushing Avenue.
 
firebuffkevin

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ENGINE 251 BROOKLYN ORGANIZED AS ENGINE 51, BROOKLYN FIRE DEPT

ORG. 47/48 Washington Ave. (Dec. 15, 1897)
CHANGE To Engine 51, FDNY (Jan. 28, 1898)
CHANGE To Engine 151 (Oct. 1, 1899)
CHANGE To Engine 251 (Jan. 1, 1913)
RELOC. 166 Clymer St. At E-211 (Nov. 24, 1941)
NQTRS. 26 Hooper St. W/ E-211 (May 24, 1944)
DISB. (Nov. 1, 1946)

ENGINE 251 QUEENS

REORG. 254-20 Union Turnpike (Oct. 1, 1952)
 
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