Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | William Mackie |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Pipeman |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | [Unknown] |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 1/8/1894 |
| Cause of Death | Fall |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations , Ladder operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 1/8/1894 17:30 |
| Incident Location | Public assembly |
| Incident Attribute | Fires |
Incident Summary
On January 8, 1894, Chicago Fire Department Pipeman William Mackie of Truck 61 died in the line of duty while fighting a fire at the site of the World’s Columbian Exposition. The fair had closed in October 1893, and many of the buildings were unoccupied at the time of the fire. A number of popular fair buildings were destroyed in the fire, including the music hall, casino, quadriga, and peristyle.
Mackie was fighting the fire at the peristyle from the top of a ladder when he lost his balance and fell to the ground. He was transported to Mercy Hospital with severe internal injuries and a broken hip, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
A six year veteran of the fire department, Mackie had survived the Cold Storage Building collapse during the World’s Columbian Exposition Fire on July 10, 1893. He was survived by his wife and six children.
Citations:
“Fair is Fire Swept,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 9, 1894.
“Flames in Midair,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 9, 1894.
“One Fireman Killed,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 9, 1894.
Firefighter and Incident Images
