William Chance, February 17th, 1899
At 9:10 pm on Thursday evening February 16, 1899, a watchman discovered a fire on the third floor, in the rear of 1226 Market Street which was occupied by an upholstery shop. Box 393 at 13th and Market Streets, was struck. This five-story brick building also housed the John Wanamaker Laundry on the fifth floor. It was later determined that the fire started in the Laundry. At 9:14 the second and third alarms were sounded. Then at 9:31 the fourth and fifth alarms were struck. Firemen had a hard time getting to the scene of the fire because of the great blizzard that struck Philadelphia on February 12 to 14. It dumped 19 inches of snow on the streets and dropped temperatures to below zero. The horse drawn steamers had to be drug through the deep snow and drifts. (there was no real snow removal in those days) This delay in getting to the fire and the strong cold winds caused the fire to spread rapidly. By the end 17 buildings had been destroyed or damaged. This included St. John’s Evangelist Church. This could have been much worse if not for the snow piled on the roofs of nearby buildings, which stopped the flying embers from taking hold.
Around 2:00 am the men from Engine 32 and Engine 20 went into the first floor of 1224 Market St. to play lines into the rear to extinguish a stubborn fire. Between 2:25 and 2:45 (the reports differ) the wall collapsed without warning. Bringing the roof and floors down with it. The three men from Engine 20 made it out just before the collapse but the men from Engine 32 were caught in the mass of debris. It would take almost five hours to recover their bodies. Among the men who died that day was William Chance.
Hoseman Chance was 32 years old and had only 4 months on the department. He was widowed and had a 9-year-old son.
On February 26, 1899, St. Joseph’s Church held a Memorial Mass at the Academy of Music for the fallen firemen. The tragedy was forgotten for many years. Until while conducting the history of the church the fire was rediscovered. In 2008 a memorial mass was held on the anniversary of the fire. This annual tribute continues to this day.
William Chance, February 17th, 1899
At 9:10 pm on Thursday evening February 16, 1899, a watchman discovered a fire on the third floor, in the rear of 1226 Market Street which was occupied by an upholstery shop. Box 393 at 13th and Market Streets, was struck. This five-story brick building also housed the John Wanamaker Laundry on the fifth floor. It was later determined that the fire started in the Laundry. At 9:14 the second and third alarms were sounded. Then at 9:31 the fourth and fifth alarms were struck. Firemen had a hard time getting to the scene of the fire because of the great blizzard that struck Philadelphia on February 12 to 14. It dumped 19 inches of snow on the streets and dropped temperatures to below zero. The horse drawn steamers had to be drug through the deep snow and drifts. (there was no real snow removal in those days) This delay in getting to the fire and the strong cold winds caused the fire to spread rapidly. By the end 17 buildings had been destroyed or damaged. This included St. John’s Evangelist Church. This could have been much worse if not for the snow piled on the roofs of nearby buildings, which stopped the flying embers from taking hold.
Around 2:00 am the men from Engine 32 and Engine 20 went into the first floor of 1224 Market St. to play lines into the rear to extinguish a stubborn fire. Between 2:25 and 2:45 (the reports differ) the wall collapsed without warning. Bringing the roof and floors down with it. The three men from Engine 20 made it out just before the collapse but the men from Engine 32 were caught in the mass of debris. It would take almost five hours to recover their bodies. Among the men who died that day was William Chance.
Hoseman Chance was 32 years old and had only 4 months on the department. He was widowed and had a 9-year-old son.
On February 26, 1899, St. Joseph’s Church held a Memorial Mass at the Academy of Music for the fallen firemen. The tragedy was forgotten for many years. Until while conducting the history of the church the fire was rediscovered. In 2008 a memorial mass was held on the anniversary of the fire. This annual tribute continues to this day.
Career History
October 11, 1898, Appointed as Hoseman Engine 32