On March 17, 1890, thirteen fire fighters lost their lives while fighting the Bowen Merrill Bookstore fire located at 18 West Washington Street. This three alarm building fire started about 1:00PM in the basement and grew fast giving fire fighters a battle. While working in the structure, the building caved in on itself killing and trapping several fire fighters. In all, 10 fire fighters died on the scene, two additional died just days after being removed from the rubble, and yet another some two plus years later that succumbed to his injuries. Several additional fire fighters were hurt in this fire resulting in them never returning to full duty and taking jobs in the alarm office to complete their careers. The Bowen Merrill Bookstore fire is the deadliest fire for Line of Duty Deathsโ for the Indianapolis Fire Department.
On March 17, 1890, thirteen fire fighters lost their lives while fighting the Bowen Merrill Bookstore fire located at 18 West Washington Street. This three alarm building fire started about 1:00PM in the basement and grew fast giving fire fighters a battle. While working in the structure, the building caved in on itself killing and trapping several fire fighters. In all, 10 fire fighters died on the scene, two additional died just days after being removed from the rubble, and yet another some two plus years later that succumbed to his injuries. Several additional fire fighters were hurt in this fire resulting in them never returning to full duty and taking jobs in the alarm office to complete their careers. The Bowen Merrill Bookstore fire is the deadliest fire for Line of Duty Deathsโ for the Indianapolis Fire Department.
Gravesite Details
burial: MAR 22,1890
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
