New York Fire Patrol Line of Duty Death
December 10, 1858 - LODD
Assistant Foreman Hugh M. Luke
New York Fire Patrol. Manhattan, New York
Around 4:00 a.m., a private night watchman discovered a fire in the Harlem and New Haven Railroad Depot on Centre Street. The five-story warehouse occupied the entire block bordered by Centre, Franklin and White Streets. The fire started in a small room on the second floor in small room used for manufacturing packing boxes. At some point, the fire-damaged second floor caved in onto the first floor where several Fire Patrolmen were working and were injured. This was followed by an explosion that was caused by fireworks stored. The fire extended through the second, third and fourth floors of the building before being extinguished. Believing that persons might have been buried in the rubble, a search was undertaken. Around 9:00 p.m., Fireman Benjamin Woods of Engine 30 (North River) discovered the body of Assistant Foreman Hugh M. Luke of Engine 15 (Chatham), under a printing press in the southwest corner of the first floor. He was removed to the home of Chief Engineer Harry Howard and the coroner was summoned.
RIP. Never forget.