George Showers , February 10th, 1889
On Sunday, February 10, 1889, at 11:56 am, Box 717 was pulled for a serious fire located at 1412-16 Walnut Street. The five-story building was occupied by Frank E. Morgan’s Drug Store and John Wyeth & Brothers’ Wholesale Druggist Company. This was a quick-moving, serious fire involving many chemicals. The fire spread to seven other properties located on Walnut Street.
During the fire, there was an explosion in the basement of the Wyeth building. This caused a wall collapse, killing Hoseman George Showers of Engine 4 and injuring many others.
The Coroner’s Inquest of the fire revealed that the explosion was caused by 6 cans (equaling about 250 lbs) of Chlorate of Potash. This chemical was more explosive than gunpowder and had the devastating effects of dynamite.
This was a fast-spreading fire. Companies in attendance were: Engines 1, 4, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, 30, and 34. Truck’s “B”, “D”, “E”, and Chemical 2. The fire is only listed as one alarm but many companies were “special call.”
The cause was listed as “careless handling of matches” and the fire loss amounted to $256,998.
George Showers , February 10th, 1889
On Sunday, February 10, 1889, at 11:56 am, Box 717 was pulled for a serious fire located at 1412-16 Walnut Street. The five-story building was occupied by Frank E. Morgan’s Drug Store and John Wyeth & Brothers’ Wholesale Druggist Company. This was a quick-moving, serious fire involving many chemicals. The fire spread to seven other properties located on Walnut Street.
During the fire, there was an explosion in the basement of the Wyeth building. This caused a wall collapse, killing Hoseman George Showers of Engine 4 and injuring many others.
The Coroner’s Inquest of the fire revealed that the explosion was caused by 6 cans (equaling about 250 lbs) of Chlorate of Potash. This chemical was more explosive than gunpowder and had the devastating effects of dynamite.
This was a fast-spreading fire. Companies in attendance were: Engines 1, 4, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, 30, and 34. Truck’s “B”, “D”, “E”, and Chemical 2. The fire is only listed as one alarm but many companies were “special call.”
The cause was listed as “careless handling of matches” and the fire loss amounted to $256,998.
Career History
Appointed Hoseman Engine 4 August 1, 1881