Our fallen hero

On Wednesday, March 6, 1907 at 3:53 AM, an alarm was sounded on Box 521, 9^th & Arch Streets, for a fire in T. Stern’s shirtwaist factory, located at 823-25 Filbert Street. The fire reached three alarms before it could be extinguished.

While operating at this fire, Assistant Foreman Charles E. Wilson, Hoseman Stephen Presco, and Hoseman John J. Sullivan, all of Engine 11, were severely injured when they were struck by a falling wall.

Hoseman Presco died the next day, March 7, 1907, Assistant Foreman Wilson died two days later on March 8, 1907, and Hoseman John Sullivan died on December 19, 1907.

A newspaper article written at the time of the fire stated that Hoseman George Walker, also of Engine 11, was severely injured at this fire. Recently discovered records show that Hoseman George Walker recovered from his injuries and had a long career in the department. He retired on November 6, 1944 after 39 years of service.