James Magee, June 25th, 1898

On Friday, June 24, 1898 at 11:05 PM, an alarm was sounded on Box 427, 2nd and Venango Streets, for a fire in the Thomas Potter and Sons Oil Cloth Works, located at 2nd and Venango Streets, a five-story brick building.

When companies arrived, they found the building well involved in fire. The 2nd, 3rd, & 4th alarms were struck simultaneously at 11:11 PM. (Engine 45 responded on the 4th alarm) During the fire operations, Engines 21 & 45 were working on the fire escape. Engine 21 was on the 5th floor and Engine 45 on the 4th floor. The two companies had been playing streams into the building for about 30 minutes when the District Engineer ordered them off the escape. Engine 21 had reached the ground and Engine 45 was about halfway down when the wall fell outward, burying the members of Engine 45 under tons of debris. Hoseman James Magee was killed instantly. Hoseman Harry Coffin was injured so severely that he was not expected to live, but he did survive his injuries.

The fire loss was listed at $191,623.

It is interesting to note that James Magee’s widow, Anna, was hired as a Station Cleaner (Matron) and served the Philadelphia Fire Department from March 8, 1901, until her death on December 10, 1940. She was the longest-serving Matron in the department, with 40 years of service.

On June 14, 2006, a memorial plaque was placed and dedicated at 2nd Street and Erie Avenue in the memory of Hoseman James Magee.

In March of 2016, the plaque was stolen. On June 24, 2016, a new plaque was dedicated at the station of Engine 45, where Magee had been stationed. This marked the 118th anniversary of his death.

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James Magee, June 25th, 1898

On Friday, June 24, 1898 at 11:05 PM, an alarm was sounded on Box 427, 2nd and Venango Streets, for a fire in the Thomas Potter and Sons Oil Cloth Works, located at 2nd and Venango Streets, a five-story brick building.

When companies arrived, they found the building well involved in fire. The 2nd, 3rd, & 4th alarms were struck simultaneously at 11:11 PM. (Engine 45 responded on the 4th alarm) During the fire operations, Engines 21 & 45 were working on the fire escape. Engine 21 was on the 5th floor and Engine 45 on the 4th floor. The two companies had been playing streams into the building for about 30 minutes when the District Engineer ordered them off the escape. Engine 21 had reached the ground and Engine 45 was about halfway down when the wall fell outward, burying the members of Engine 45 under tons of debris. Hoseman James Magee was killed instantly. Hoseman Harry Coffin was injured so severely that he was not expected to live, but he did survive his injuries.

The fire loss was listed at $191,623.

It is interesting to note that James Magee’s widow, Anna, was hired as a Station Cleaner (Matron) and served the Philadelphia Fire Department from March 8, 1901, until her death on December 10, 1940. She was the longest-serving Matron in the department, with 40 years of service.

On June 14, 2006, a memorial plaque was placed and dedicated at 2nd Street and Erie Avenue in the memory of Hoseman James Magee.

In March of 2016, the plaque was stolen. On June 24, 2016, a new plaque was dedicated at the station of Engine 45, where Magee had been stationed. This marked the 118th anniversary of his death.

Career History

Appointed Hoseman Engine 29 - May 6, 1887

Transferred Hoseman Engine 27 - January 20, 1888

Transferred Hoseman Engine 30 - October 16, 1893

Transferred Hoseman Engine 27 -February 8, 1896

Transferred Hoseman Engine 45  - May 9, 1898

Additonal Information

Research from the museum:
Name:  James Magee
Date of appointment: May 6, 1887
Address: 2716 Fletcher Street
Age at appointment: 26
Occupation at appointment: Car Driver
Position of appointment: Hoseman
Station assigned:  Engine 29 @ 1225 N. 4th St
Transferred to:  Engine 27, January 1, 1888 @ 2202 W. Columbia Ave
Transferred to:  Engine 30, October 16, 1893 @ IRO 3546 Germantown Ave
Transferred to:  Engine 27, February 8, 1896
Transferred to:  Engine 45, May 9, 1898 @ 2543 W. York St.
Died:  June 25, 1898  In the Line of  Duty