Drowned due to falling into oil tank when ladder broke while fighthing fire. Ruled Accidental.
1924 - JANUARY 21 - PITTSBURGH, PA 7 Firefighters While operating at a major fire in a refining company storage yard, they all suffocated when an explosion blew them into a large vat of boiling paraffin.
The following is from the Lawrenceville Historical Society. The story is an excellent piece of history and tells of the circumstances surrounding the death of this valiant fireman.
The Atlantic Refinery Fire of January 21, 1924
This article article was written by John Gombita for this website. It tells of the worst fires in Lawrenceville history. It was posted on October 19, 2008
Firefighter Patrick Benjamin Abbott was a lean and handsome thirty-three year old. He had piercing blue eyes and richly colored auburn hair. He was unmarried and lived at home with his parents, James and Elizabeth (Coots). Three younger sisters survived him: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Ella. They all lived in a well-kept two-story frame house at 3063 Zephyr Street, in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was also survived by his younger brother, Thomas, sister-in law, Evelyn, and niece, who lived in Carrick. His uncle Patrick, whom he was named after, also resided in Carrick with his family. Abbott was a veteran of World War I, serving with the Army in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Before the war he worked with his father, uncle, and younger brother at the Dilworth & Porter Company, a manufacturer of nails and spikes. He returned to his job after his military service and on July 20, 1920 he was hired by the Fire Bureau. Firefighter Patrick Abbott's short career was spent at No.26 Engine Company. His tenure was neither distinctive nor without merit; he simply went to work every day and performed his duties professionally as a member of the company.
James Abbott traveled alone to identify his son's body at the morgue. His statement on the coroner‘s ‘Proof of Identity' form read, "I last saw my son alive on Sunday January 20th, 1924 about eight o'clock in the evening. I know nothing of the accident that caused my son's death…" For two years while Abbott was fighting in Europe his parents worried every day. Mail was slow, but stories of the slaughter of soldiers on all sides were carried daily in the newspapers. Everyday until he came home, his parents were filled with the dread of a telegram from the War Department that would announce his death or some horrible wound. Life had been good in the Abbott home after the war. With two incomes they had been able to move from the smoky Southside, near the steel mills, to a new home in a new, fashionable, community. Abbott's viewing was at his parent's home on the tree-lined Zephyr Street. The house was filled with floral arrangements and cards from different firehouses and from veterans of the Great War. His funeral was held at Holy Innocence Church with members of the nearby Engine Company No.40 serving as pallbearers. Firefighter Patrick Abbott was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in the city's Greenfield neighborhood.
Newspaper Articles:
Citizens of the community display honor and respect by providing support to the families of their fallen protectors.
Click: Community Support
Click: Community support continued
Click: Followup Support
Click: Son of Fire Victim Expresses Thanks
Click: Scenes of Fire and Explosion Next Day
Others who lost their lives on that day are:
Capt. Rudolph Blisk
Capt. John H. Fraizer
Capt. Edward Jones
Hoseman John Markham
Fireman Robert R. Smith
Fireman Samuel Bollinger
Fireman Patrick Benjamin Abbott
1924 - JANUARY 21 - PITTSBURGH, PA 7 Firefighters While operating at a major fire in a refining company storage yard, they all suffocated when an explosion blew them into a large vat of boiling paraffin.
The following is from the Lawrenceville Historical Society. The story is an excellent piece of history and tells of the circumstances surrounding the death of this valiant fireman.
The Atlantic Refinery Fire of January 21, 1924
This article article was written by John Gombita for this website. It tells of the worst fires in Lawrenceville history. It was posted on October 19, 2008
Firefighter Patrick Benjamin Abbott was a lean and handsome thirty-three year old. He had piercing blue eyes and richly colored auburn hair. He was unmarried and lived at home with his parents, James and Elizabeth (Coots). Three younger sisters survived him: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Ella. They all lived in a well-kept two-story frame house at 3063 Zephyr Street, in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was also survived by his younger brother, Thomas, sister-in law, Evelyn, and niece, who lived in Carrick. His uncle Patrick, whom he was named after, also resided in Carrick with his family. Abbott was a veteran of World War I, serving with the Army in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Before the war he worked with his father, uncle, and younger brother at the Dilworth & Porter Company, a manufacturer of nails and spikes. He returned to his job after his military service and on July 20, 1920 he was hired by the Fire Bureau. Firefighter Patrick Abbott's short career was spent at No.26 Engine Company. His tenure was neither distinctive nor without merit; he simply went to work every day and performed his duties professionally as a member of the company.
James Abbott traveled alone to identify his son's body at the morgue. His statement on the coroner‘s ‘Proof of Identity' form read, "I last saw my son alive on Sunday January 20th, 1924 about eight o'clock in the evening. I know nothing of the accident that caused my son's death…" For two years while Abbott was fighting in Europe his parents worried every day. Mail was slow, but stories of the slaughter of soldiers on all sides were carried daily in the newspapers. Everyday until he came home, his parents were filled with the dread of a telegram from the War Department that would announce his death or some horrible wound. Life had been good in the Abbott home after the war. With two incomes they had been able to move from the smoky Southside, near the steel mills, to a new home in a new, fashionable, community. Abbott's viewing was at his parent's home on the tree-lined Zephyr Street. The house was filled with floral arrangements and cards from different firehouses and from veterans of the Great War. His funeral was held at Holy Innocence Church with members of the nearby Engine Company No.40 serving as pallbearers. Firefighter Patrick Abbott was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in the city's Greenfield neighborhood.
Newspaper Articles:
Citizens of the community display honor and respect by providing support to the families of their fallen protectors.
Click: Community Support
Click: Community support continued
Click: Followup Support
Click: Son of Fire Victim Expresses Thanks
Click: Scenes of Fire and Explosion Next Day
Others who lost their lives on that day are:
Capt. Rudolph Blisk
Capt. John H. Fraizer
Capt. Edward Jones
Hoseman John Markham
Fireman Robert R. Smith
Fireman Samuel Bollinger
Fireman Patrick Benjamin Abbott
Drowned due to falling into oil tank when ladder broke while fighthing fire. Ruled Accidental.
1924 - JANUARY 21 - PITTSBURGH, PA 7 Firefighters While operating at a major fire in a refining company storage yard, they all suffocated when an explosion blew them into a large vat of boiling paraffin.
The following is from the Lawrenceville Historical Society. The story is an excellent piece of history and tells of the circumstances surrounding the death of this valiant fireman.
The Atlantic Refinery Fire of January 21, 1924
This article article was written by John Gombita for this website. It tells of the worst fires in Lawrenceville history. It was posted on October 19, 2008
Firefighter Patrick Benjamin Abbott was a lean and handsome thirty-three year old. He had piercing blue eyes and richly colored auburn hair. He was unmarried and lived at home with his parents, James and Elizabeth (Coots). Three younger sisters survived him: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Ella. They all lived in a well-kept two-story frame house at 3063 Zephyr Street, in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was also survived by his younger brother, Thomas, sister-in law, Evelyn, and niece, who lived in Carrick. His uncle Patrick, whom he was named after, also resided in Carrick with his family. Abbott was a veteran of World War I, serving with the Army in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Before the war he worked with his father, uncle, and younger brother at the Dilworth & Porter Company, a manufacturer of nails and spikes. He returned to his job after his military service and on July 20, 1920 he was hired by the Fire Bureau. Firefighter Patrick Abbott's short career was spent at No.26 Engine Company. His tenure was neither distinctive nor without merit; he simply went to work every day and performed his duties professionally as a member of the company.
James Abbott traveled alone to identify his son's body at the morgue. His statement on the coroner‘s ‘Proof of Identity' form read, "I last saw my son alive on Sunday January 20th, 1924 about eight o'clock in the evening. I know nothing of the accident that caused my son's death…" For two years while Abbott was fighting in Europe his parents worried every day. Mail was slow, but stories of the slaughter of soldiers on all sides were carried daily in the newspapers. Everyday until he came home, his parents were filled with the dread of a telegram from the War Department that would announce his death or some horrible wound. Life had been good in the Abbott home after the war. With two incomes they had been able to move from the smoky Southside, near the steel mills, to a new home in a new, fashionable, community. Abbott's viewing was at his parent's home on the tree-lined Zephyr Street. The house was filled with floral arrangements and cards from different firehouses and from veterans of the Great War. His funeral was held at Holy Innocence Church with members of the nearby Engine Company No.40 serving as pallbearers. Firefighter Patrick Abbott was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in the city's Greenfield neighborhood.
Newspaper Articles:
Citizens of the community display honor and respect by providing support to the families of their fallen protectors.
Click: Community Support
Click: Community support continued
Click: Followup Support
Click: Son of Fire Victim Expresses Thanks
Click: Scenes of Fire and Explosion Next Day
Others who lost their lives on that day are:
Capt. Rudolph Blisk
Capt. John H. Fraizer
Capt. Edward Jones
Hoseman John Markham
Fireman Robert R. Smith
Fireman Samuel Bollinger
Fireman Patrick Benjamin Abbott
1924 - JANUARY 21 - PITTSBURGH, PA 7 Firefighters While operating at a major fire in a refining company storage yard, they all suffocated when an explosion blew them into a large vat of boiling paraffin.
The following is from the Lawrenceville Historical Society. The story is an excellent piece of history and tells of the circumstances surrounding the death of this valiant fireman.
The Atlantic Refinery Fire of January 21, 1924
This article article was written by John Gombita for this website. It tells of the worst fires in Lawrenceville history. It was posted on October 19, 2008
Firefighter Patrick Benjamin Abbott was a lean and handsome thirty-three year old. He had piercing blue eyes and richly colored auburn hair. He was unmarried and lived at home with his parents, James and Elizabeth (Coots). Three younger sisters survived him: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Ella. They all lived in a well-kept two-story frame house at 3063 Zephyr Street, in the Sheraden neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was also survived by his younger brother, Thomas, sister-in law, Evelyn, and niece, who lived in Carrick. His uncle Patrick, whom he was named after, also resided in Carrick with his family. Abbott was a veteran of World War I, serving with the Army in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. Before the war he worked with his father, uncle, and younger brother at the Dilworth & Porter Company, a manufacturer of nails and spikes. He returned to his job after his military service and on July 20, 1920 he was hired by the Fire Bureau. Firefighter Patrick Abbott's short career was spent at No.26 Engine Company. His tenure was neither distinctive nor without merit; he simply went to work every day and performed his duties professionally as a member of the company.
James Abbott traveled alone to identify his son's body at the morgue. His statement on the coroner‘s ‘Proof of Identity' form read, "I last saw my son alive on Sunday January 20th, 1924 about eight o'clock in the evening. I know nothing of the accident that caused my son's death…" For two years while Abbott was fighting in Europe his parents worried every day. Mail was slow, but stories of the slaughter of soldiers on all sides were carried daily in the newspapers. Everyday until he came home, his parents were filled with the dread of a telegram from the War Department that would announce his death or some horrible wound. Life had been good in the Abbott home after the war. With two incomes they had been able to move from the smoky Southside, near the steel mills, to a new home in a new, fashionable, community. Abbott's viewing was at his parent's home on the tree-lined Zephyr Street. The house was filled with floral arrangements and cards from different firehouses and from veterans of the Great War. His funeral was held at Holy Innocence Church with members of the nearby Engine Company No.40 serving as pallbearers. Firefighter Patrick Abbott was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in the city's Greenfield neighborhood.
Newspaper Articles:
Citizens of the community display honor and respect by providing support to the families of their fallen protectors.
Click: Community Support
Click: Community support continued
Click: Followup Support
Click: Son of Fire Victim Expresses Thanks
Click: Scenes of Fire and Explosion Next Day
Others who lost their lives on that day are:
Capt. Rudolph Blisk
Capt. John H. Fraizer
Capt. Edward Jones
Hoseman John Markham
Fireman Robert R. Smith
Fireman Samuel Bollinger
Fireman Patrick Benjamin Abbott
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
