Our fallen hero

On September 7, 1845, at about 2 a.m., while returning from a fire at the Rouidet and Caner Sugar Refinery, which was located on Second Street near Arch. The alarm came in for a fire at Broad and Cherry Streets. The fire started in a stable belonging to John Clark, which was located in the rear of the building on the west side of Broad Street, north of Arch Street. The flames traveled from the barn to the stone house of Siter, James and Company, located at the southwest corner of Broad and Cherry Street. This was a large brick building containing 5000 barrels of flour and grain. The flames then crossed Cherry Street to the north, and engulfed the warehouse of Craig, Bellas and Company. This was also a brick warehouse containing vast quantities of cotton, grain, flour and whiskey, along with smaller amounts of other combustibles. Both warehouses were completely destroyed. The flames also destroyed the offices and vehicles of the Knickerbocker Ice Company. Several other businesses were also destroyed or damaged.

While fighting this massive blaze, 24-year-old Jacob Kunz, of the Globe Engine Company, along with others from different fire companies, were severely injured when a wall collapsed. Jacob Kunz was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital with both legs broken and internal injuries. He lingered in the Hospital until September 17 when he succumbed to his injuries. Jacob Kunz was buried on September 19th in Monument Cemetery. He was the first fireman to be buried in the vault provided by the "Philadelphia Association for the Relief of Disabled Fireman."