Our fallen hero

On May 9, 1806 a fire started in several buildings on Dock Street. The fire spread from Third Street to Goforth’s Alley below Chestnut. Thirty (30) buildings were destroyed before the fire could be brought under control. During this disastrous fire, Joseph Master Jr., a 19-year-old Volunteer Firefighter of the Philadelphia Hose Company, was seriously injured. He suffered from his wounds for nearly two months. On June 30, 1806 he succumbed to his injuries.