San Francisco, California
Auditorium
Fire
November 7, 1915
FIREMAN TRAPPED BY FLAMES IN BIG FIRE IN
S. F.
San Francisco, Nov. 8, -- One fireman was
burned to death and four others injured Sunday
afternoon in a fire which destroyed the old
Auditorium at the corner of Page and Fillmore
street and did $30,000 damage to adjoining
buildings. The total damage is estimated at
$60,000. The origin of the fire is in doubt.
The man who lost his life in the performance of
his duty was Dennis Mulcahy, hoseman of Engine
No. 21. He was trapped by the flames while
passing hose near the hottest part of the fire.
The injured were Edward Materne, truckman of
Truck 6, who was burned about the face and
hands; Joseph Gilbert, truckman, Truck 6, whose
back was badly wrenched in a fall; Eugene
Reardon, hoseman of Chemical 9, who was burned
on the hands and John Lackie, truckman, Truck 6,
who was badly bruised on his legs.
Heroic efforts by his companions failed to have
the life of Mulcahy, who with two others were
trapped by back fire and overcome by smoke and
flame.
Mrs. Julia Mulcahy, mother of the fireman who
lost his life, is prostrated by the shock of her
son's death. At first she refused to believe
that he was really dead but later, when her "Dennie"
failed to come home, she realized the dreadful
truth of the tragedy and is in a dangerous
condition at her home, 866 Haight street. Mrs.
Mulcahy is a widow and 80 years of age.
At noon the first alarm was sounded from Page
and Steiner streets. It was quickly followed by
two others and finally a fourth alarm brought
the major portion of all the apparatus in the
city to the scene.
When the first engines arrived, the entire
building, covering half a block, wrapped in
flames which menaced the safety of the whole
neighborhood. A brisk north breeze forced the
firemen to devote most of their time and energy
to saving adjoining property.
The Evening News, San Jose, CA 8 Nov 1915
CROSSED WIRES CAUSED AUDITORIUM FIRE IN S.
F.
San Francisco, Nov. 9. -- Crossed wires
caused the fire Sunday at the old Auditorium at
Page and Fillmore streets, according to the
statement made by Fire Marshal Charles Towe.
Towe says the fact that the fire broke out
simultaneously in various parts of the building
leads him to this conclusion of its cause.
Funeral services for Dennis Mulcahy, the fireman
who lost his life in the building, were held at
9 o'clock this morning at Sacred Heart church.
Members of engine company 21 acted as
pallbearers. Edward Materne, who was injured, is
reported to be doing well at St. Joseph's
hospital.
The Evening News, San Jose, CA 9 Nov 1915
Articles transcribed by
Linda
Horton. Thanks, Linda!
Firemen Killed in the Line of Duty:
DENNIS J. MULCAHY 11/7/1915 (59)
Engine Co. No. 21 – 1152 Oak
Auditorium – Page & Fillmore
San Francisco Fire Department Museum - Those Who
Died in the Line of Duty
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