PHILADELPHIA SPFD & PPD 14 Line of Duty Deaths
December 22, 1910 Philadelphia -
Freidlander Leather Remnants Company Fire.
13 Firefighters , 1 police officer killed.
On December 21, 1910, there was a report of a fire that had come in at the five-story Freidlander Leather Remnants Company, 1114 North Bodine Street (what is now Northern Liberties). Upon arrival fire crews found heavy fire on the first floor, and a second alarm was immediately transmitted.
The fire had spread quickly through vertical openings to the floors above and soon the fire was out of control. For almost three hours the battle to get the fire under control continued. Firemen had worked to get closer to the seat of the fire and worked from ladders trying to vent and expose the flames. The five-story building blaze started in the lower level of the building and spread to all floors, burning through the roof in a short time. Each floor was reported to be about 1,600 square feet. The department called a third-alarm response that brought 18 engines and 6 trucks to the scene. However, cold-weather conditions prevailed, and most of the hydrants were frozen over. At first, only two lines were able to produce water.
About a dozen firemen were on the roof when it began to sag. The chief of the department noted the sagging conditions and ordered the firemen off the roof, but it’s not clear if they heard him. The roof had given way, and 36 firemen were trapped in the debris. Rescue efforts began immediately as firemen and policemen began searching and digging out the imprisoned men. Two hours were spent on rescuing those that were buried in debris, when a second collapse had occurred. The number of trapped firemen was now up to 51. Weakened by the cold, hampered by frozen hydrants, firefighters waded into the inferno that had been a five-story leather factory, hoping to save comrades crushed by crumpled machinery and fallen brick walls. But their lantern-lit rescue quickly gave way to the painful repetition of recovery.
13 firemen and 1 police officer were killed and more than 50 men were injured. One of the members, Hoseman Harry Bertolet, had seven children. He had lost his wife 15 months before this fire. The seven children were between the ages of two and ten. Some of the bodies removed from the debris were so badly burned that the limbs dropped off. When the body of Assistant Foreman Kalberer was taken from the ruins it was without a head, the foreman only being recognized by his uniform. A report also indicated that the ruins of the structure were frozen solid, with several firemen's bodies still inside. The last living fireman to be rescued was William Glazier of Engine 6. Fireman Glazier was buried in the ruins under a heavy beam and machinery. During a 12 hours rescue operation, while having a conversation with those that were trying to free him, Fireman Glazier had told them he was lying on top of Hoseman Charles Erderman, and that Hoseman Erderman was undoubtedly dead. When Fireman Glazier was finally rescued from beneath the debris he was almost frozen. Hoseman Erderman, whose body was beneath him, was frozen solid. The ice had caked on his face, forming a perfect mask.
The building was 58 years old and inspectors attributed the collapse partly to the age of the structure, according to a New York Times report the day after the fire. The article said the department suspected arson due to how quickly the fire spread even though the factory’s normal contents weren’t inflammable.
Those that were lost in the line of duty:
Hoseman Harry Bertolet, 36 Chemical 2
Ladderman William Bihlmire, 46 Ladder I
Ladderman John F. Carroll, 43 Ladder G
Ladderman John Collins, 40 Ladder 4
Hoseman Charles W. Edelman, 42 Engine 6
Assistant Thomas Entwistle, 40 Engine 21
Assistant Foreman J. Frederick Kalberer, 50
Ladderman George W. Matchinskey, 42 Ladder 7
Hoseman William S. McConnell, 41 Engine 23
Ladderman Samuel W Park, 50 Ladder A
Hoseman Thomas Miller Pass, 56 Chemical 2
Hoseman Robert Stewart, 36 Engine 2
Foreman Gustave Wittig, 52 Engine 15
