Omaha, NE Millard Hotel Blaze Fireman Perish, Feb 1933

SIX FIREMEN AT OMAHA DIE IN $250,000 BLAZE.

A SEVENTH IS MISSING AND 17 OTHERS ARE REPORTED TO BE INJURED.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HOTEL IS DESTROYED.

FIGHT FLAMES IN TEMPERATURES RANGING DOWN TO 15 BELOW ZERO.

Omaha, Feb. 9 -- (AP) -- Six firemen were killed, one was missing and 17 others were injured in a spectacular fire that destroyed the four story Millard Hotel, historic downtown landmark, early today, during a 15 below zero temperature. The loss was estimated at $250,000.
After five hours work, only the body of Captain ED SMITH had been recovered from the ruins. He had been killed in the collapse of a rear wall which buried him and at least three others.
Two more were buried under debris in the basement. Senior Captain GEORGE COGAN, brother of Fire Chief PATRICK COGAN, and Fire Inspector CLARENCE URBAN were trapped after an explosion brought the roof down on them as they stood on the first floor carrying them to the cellar. Fireman WALTER HOYE, who had entered the shop with them was rescued an hour later.
W. S. RATHBUN, of Chicago, representative of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, had been inspecting the building with URBAN and left a few seconds before the cave-in.
Rescuers talked with COGAN but were unable to reach him or URBAN, and at 7 a.m. little hope was held that they would be rescued alive. Chief COGAN led rescuers in an effort to save his brother, and stimulants passed down to him in the hope it might minimize the effect of the 15 below zero temperature in which firemen were working.
The three missing, almost certainly dead, were Captain THOMAS SHANDY, Pipeman JOHN G. BRANDT and Fireman FRANKLIN KANE. They were on a ladder in an alley working with SMITH, when the rear wall collapsed and presumably buried them.
Several fractured legs were listed among the injuries, and most of the casualties suffered from severe chills or cuts and bruises.
HARRY WEINER, proprietor of the four story brick structure, estimated the loss at $250,000. All of the 45 guests were believed accounted for this morning.

Jefferson City Post-Tribune Missouri 1933-02-09
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!