Our fallen hero

At 4:21 PM Monday, August 19, 1901, Box 1339, at 29^th Street and Passyunk Avenue was struck for a fire at the Atlantic Refining Company at Point Breeze. This fire would eventually reach 6 alarms. Firefighters would fight this fire, which involved multiple tanks of oil and other products, into the next day. The members of Engine 49 along with other members were given the task of keeping the pump house cool as the refinery workers operated the pumps to empty the tanks. Just after midnight one of the tanks exploded. As the men ran from the area, Foreman James Eells and Hoseman John McCullen, both of Engine 49, were struck by large pieces of metal thrown by the explosion, killing them instantly. Ladderman Frank  Davis of Truck I and one of the pump operators did not make it out and were caught in the pump house as the flames engulfed it.

During the conflagration, which destroyed over 20 tanks of oil and other products 38 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department were injured. Some so severely that they had to be taken to the hospital. Most were treated at the scene and returned to their duties. Among these were Chief Engineer James Baxter, Assistant Engineer Leithead, 4 members of Engine 46, 3 from Engine 49 and 8 from Truck I, and many others.

Ladderman Frank Davis was the brother of Ross B. Davis, who would later become Chief Engineer.