Arthur Mumbauer, October 27th, 1955
On Thursday October 27, 1955, at 3:06 pm, Engine 44, Ladder 6 and Battalion 11 were dispatched for a local alarm at 603 N. 34th Street. Before the companies arrived on location, the assignment was upgraded, and Box 1548 at 34th Street and Fairmount Avenue was struck. Upon arrival, the companies found heavy fire showing from the second floor of a three-story brick building, occupied by the Sibre Lamp Products Company. The fire was spreading to the third floor and the second alarm was struck at 3:19.
The firefighters fought the fire for nearly a half hour and had it contained. The Chief was about to put it under control. Most of the men had left the building and were standing in front of the building. Then, just before 3:50, an explosion ripped through the third floor, blowing out the rear and front walls. The firefighters scattered to get away from the mass of falling bricks. Eleven men were caught under the debris. Among them was FF Arthur Mumbauer, of Engine 17, who lost his life under the mountain of brick and debris. Immediately after the explosion, Chief of the Department, George Hink struck the third alarm at 3:50. They fought the fire for almost an hour, and at 4:44 pm, Chief Hink put the fire under control. The other ten men who were caught in the collapse were taken to local hospitals. While two were in critical condition, all recovered from their injuries.
An investigation found the explosion was caused by the fire heating lacquers and solvents that were stored on the third floor. The cause of the fire was not determined.
Note: Fire Department Photographer, Lt. Robert Kennedy, was at this fire and snapped a photo of firemen running away, just as the explosion happened. The snapshot of the disaster became famous nationwide. He titled it “Cheating Death” and won several awards for it. The man showed in the picture is not FF Mumbauer.
Arthur Mumbauer, October 27th, 1955
On Thursday October 27, 1955, at 3:06 pm, Engine 44, Ladder 6 and Battalion 11 were dispatched for a local alarm at 603 N. 34th Street. Before the companies arrived on location, the assignment was upgraded, and Box 1548 at 34th Street and Fairmount Avenue was struck. Upon arrival, the companies found heavy fire showing from the second floor of a three-story brick building, occupied by the Sibre Lamp Products Company. The fire was spreading to the third floor and the second alarm was struck at 3:19.
The firefighters fought the fire for nearly a half hour and had it contained. The Chief was about to put it under control. Most of the men had left the building and were standing in front of the building. Then, just before 3:50, an explosion ripped through the third floor, blowing out the rear and front walls. The firefighters scattered to get away from the mass of falling bricks. Eleven men were caught under the debris. Among them was FF Arthur Mumbauer, of Engine 17, who lost his life under the mountain of brick and debris. Immediately after the explosion, Chief of the Department, George Hink struck the third alarm at 3:50. They fought the fire for almost an hour, and at 4:44 pm, Chief Hink put the fire under control. The other ten men who were caught in the collapse were taken to local hospitals. While two were in critical condition, all recovered from their injuries.
An investigation found the explosion was caused by the fire heating lacquers and solvents that were stored on the third floor. The cause of the fire was not determined.
Note: Fire Department Photographer, Lt. Robert Kennedy, was at this fire and snapped a photo of firemen running away, just as the explosion happened. The snapshot of the disaster became famous nationwide. He titled it “Cheating Death” and won several awards for it. The man showed in the picture is not FF Mumbauer.
Career History
Appointed Hoseman Pipeline 4 February 1, 1926
Transferred Ladderman Truck 23 July 16, 1926
Transferred Hoseman Engine 38 October 1, 1934
Transferred Hoseman Engine 17 March 16, 1935