Edward O'Neill, February 26th, 1866
In the evening of Monday, February 26, 1866, at about 6 o’clock, fire was discovered in the hardware store of George H. Roberts. This large five story brick building was located at 235-237 N. Third St. above Race St. Despite the efforts of the firemen, the fire spread to the dry goods store and warehouse next door to the north. The fire was so fierce that at one point that flames were licking at the buildings across Third Street. In an effort to gain the upper hand on this inferno, firemen placed hose lines on the roof the 233 N. Third which was one story shorter than the one on fire. The rear of 233 also became involved in fire, but the men stood their ground.
At about half past seven, the south wall of 235, the original fire building, collapsed on the men on the roof of 233. The impact was so great that it carried the men of the Columbia Hose Co. to the second floor. With the opening of the floors and walls from the crashing wall, the fire took off towards the trapped men. When the other firemen saw this disaster, they turned their hoses on 233 to keep the flames from the trapped men. Other men started digging through the rubble to reach the men of the Columbia Hose. Five men were reached and pulled out with minor injuries. It took longer to remove Edward O’Neill because he had been caught in a second collapse and was pinned beneath a pile of lumber. O’Neill had a fractured skull and died before he could be freed.
Edward O’Neill’s funeral on March 1, 1866, was attended by members of the Columbia Hose Company and a large number of members of other companies of the fire department and members of the 29thRegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to which he had served during the Civil War. In an unusual show of brotherly affection, the Good Intent Steam Fire Engine Company lent their Ambulance to transport Edward O’Neill’s remains to the Cathedral Cemetery. This Ambulance was used during the Civil War to transport injured soldiers. Edward O’Neill was 22 years old and had recently returned from service in the Civil War. He was a storekeeper and left behind his wife and a child.
Edward O'Neill, February 26th, 1866
In the evening of Monday, February 26, 1866, at about 6 o’clock, fire was discovered in the hardware store of George H. Roberts. This large five story brick building was located at 235-237 N. Third St. above Race St. Despite the efforts of the firemen, the fire spread to the dry goods store and warehouse next door to the north. The fire was so fierce that at one point that flames were licking at the buildings across Third Street. In an effort to gain the upper hand on this inferno, firemen placed hose lines on the roof the 233 N. Third which was one story shorter than the one on fire. The rear of 233 also became involved in fire, but the men stood their ground.
At about half past seven, the south wall of 235, the original fire building, collapsed on the men on the roof of 233. The impact was so great that it carried the men of the Columbia Hose Co. to the second floor. With the opening of the floors and walls from the crashing wall, the fire took off towards the trapped men. When the other firemen saw this disaster, they turned their hoses on 233 to keep the flames from the trapped men. Other men started digging through the rubble to reach the men of the Columbia Hose. Five men were reached and pulled out with minor injuries. It took longer to remove Edward O’Neill because he had been caught in a second collapse and was pinned beneath a pile of lumber. O’Neill had a fractured skull and died before he could be freed.
Edward O’Neill’s funeral on March 1, 1866, was attended by members of the Columbia Hose Company and a large number of members of other companies of the fire department and members of the 29thRegiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to which he had served during the Civil War. In an unusual show of brotherly affection, the Good Intent Steam Fire Engine Company lent their Ambulance to transport Edward O’Neill’s remains to the Cathedral Cemetery. This Ambulance was used during the Civil War to transport injured soldiers. Edward O’Neill was 22 years old and had recently returned from service in the Civil War. He was a storekeeper and left behind his wife and a child.
Career History
Volunteer with the Columbia Hose Company