William Bihlmire, December 21st, 1910
On Wednesday, December 21, 1910 at 9:16 PM, an alarm was sounded on Box 294, 3rd and Girard Avenue, for a fire in the Friedlander Leather Remnants Company located at 1114-16-18 N. Bodine Street.
Shortly after midnight on December 22, 1910, the building collapsed, killing 13 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department. All were trapped beneath the crumbling mass of bricks and timbers.
The 13 members killed in the line of duty at this fire were:
1. Hoseman Harry Bertolet of Chemical 2
2. Ladderman William Bihlmire of Truck 1
3. Ladderman John F. Carroll of Truck “G”
4. Ladderman John Collins of Truck 4
5. Hoseman Charles W. Edelman of Engine 6
6. Assistant Foreman Thomas Entwistle of Engine 21
7. Assistant Foreman John F. Kalberer of Engine 23
8. Hoseman William McConnell of Engine 23
9. Ladderman George Matchinsky of Truck 7
10. Ladderman Samuel W. Park of Truck “A”
11. Hoseman Thomas M. Pass of Chemical 2
12. Hoseman Robert Stewart of Engine 2
13. Foreman Gustave Wittig of Engine 15
Also killed in this fire was Philadelphia Police Officer Morris Gellis of the 8th Police District.
The fire loss amounted to $25,000. This fire is often referred to as the “Friedlander Fire” or “The Bodine Street Fire”
Ladderman Bihlmire was 46 years old at the time of his line of duty death.
William Bihlmire, December 21st, 1910
On Wednesday, December 21, 1910 at 9:16 PM, an alarm was sounded on Box 294, 3rd and Girard Avenue, for a fire in the Friedlander Leather Remnants Company located at 1114-16-18 N. Bodine Street.
Shortly after midnight on December 22, 1910, the building collapsed, killing 13 members of the Philadelphia Fire Department. All were trapped beneath the crumbling mass of bricks and timbers.
The 13 members killed in the line of duty at this fire were:
1. Hoseman Harry Bertolet of Chemical 2
2. Ladderman William Bihlmire of Truck 1
3. Ladderman John F. Carroll of Truck “G”
4. Ladderman John Collins of Truck 4
5. Hoseman Charles W. Edelman of Engine 6
6. Assistant Foreman Thomas Entwistle of Engine 21
7. Assistant Foreman John F. Kalberer of Engine 23
8. Hoseman William McConnell of Engine 23
9. Ladderman George Matchinsky of Truck 7
10. Ladderman Samuel W. Park of Truck “A”
11. Hoseman Thomas M. Pass of Chemical 2
12. Hoseman Robert Stewart of Engine 2
13. Foreman Gustave Wittig of Engine 15
Also killed in this fire was Philadelphia Police Officer Morris Gellis of the 8th Police District.
The fire loss amounted to $25,000. This fire is often referred to as the “Friedlander Fire” or “The Bodine Street Fire”
Ladderman Bihlmire was 46 years old at the time of his line of duty death.
Career History
Appointed Hoseman Engine 18 - March 17, 1900
Transferred Ladderman Truck 1 - August 17, 1901
Additonal Information
May 2, 2009
Dear Chief O’Donnell,
Your request for information to the Philadelphia Fire Fighters Union no your possible relative, William Bihlmire, has been sent to Fireman’s Hall Museum for reply. I have been able to assemble the following information.
Name: William Bihlmire
Date of appointment: March 17, 1990
Age at appointment: 32
Address at appointment: 2230 Meredith St.
Occupation at appointment: Fireman
Position of appointment: Hoseman
Station assigned: Engine 18
Transferred to: Truck 1, as a Ladderman, August 17, 1901
Died: December 22, 1910 in the line of duty.
The following on-the-job injuries were recorded.
January 7, 1903, Ankle sprain, fell on ice.
February 5, 1904, Finger cut with glass.
August 31, 1905, Contusion of the shoulder, fall through roof.
Line of Duty Death: December 22, 1910 at the Friedlander Leather Remnants Company on N. Bodine Street.
Ladderman Bihlmire’s name is inscribed on the Memorial Plaque at the Museum. His portrait may be seen on a wood plaque in the front room on the second floor that commemorates the 13 fireman killed .
While the Museum does not have personal information of William Bihlmire, you may be able to get additional information from the newspapers at the library. Also, a death certificate may have some of the information you seek.