DENVER POST - 1904

Frank Lunt of Truck 2

On Sept. 20, 1904, fumes from nitric acid spilled in the engraving department of the Denver Post led to the deaths of four firefighters.

Lieutenant Charles Dolloff of Engine 4 was the first to succumb to his injuries followed by John "Handsome Jack" McGlade and Frank Lunt of Truck 2 and Captain Charles Eymann of Truck 1.

About a dozen other firemen were injured, including future Fire Chief John Healy.

The size the spill of Nitric acid, HNO3 - a colorless, corrosive, fuming chemical - was estimated at 10 gallons.

Reporting on the effects of nitric acid, the Journal of the American Medical Association provided the following account:

"The Denver Fire Department was called to the office of the Denver Post Sept. 20, 1904, at 4 p. m.

"On arrival they were informed that a carboy of nitric acid had been accidentally broken in an attempt to remove the stopper with a hammer.

"The acid spread across the floor, coming in contact with the zinc used in etching.

"Sawdust was used to absorb it, and, rapidly oxidizing, burst into flame here and there, resulting in the call for the firemen.

"Mr. Bradt, foreman of the department, who was at work in the room, states that the fumes and smoke were not especially irritating until the portable apparatus began playing on the fire."

The article continued:

"Eighteen firemen and two men employed in the office were affected severely enough to demand medical aid.

"Of these, four died, two on the second day, from the direct consequences, and two several weeks later from relapse.

"The immediate symptoms complained of while exposed to the fumes were, in order of frequency, as follows: Dyspnea, pain in the stomach, pain in the chest, headache, dryness of the throat, coughing, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty in walking, and dryness of the nose.

"No unconsciousness was noted.

"Nearly all the firemen returned to their respective firehouses, not considering themselves seriously sick.

"After a few hours many of them sought medical aid, and within twenty-four hours all of them excepting one were patients in the Emergency Hospital."

In the aftermath of the Denver Post tragedy - as well as similar incidents in Milwaukee and  other cities -  Fire Engineering magazine noted:

"The most deceitful and treacherous part of such partial asphyxiation from acid fumes is that the victims, as at Milwaukee and Denver, are able to leave the scene of the fire, and for some hours to walk about and do duty, till suddenly edema of the lungs sets in, with fatal results.

"Sometimes, also, as in the case of one of the Denver victims, even after having been ten days in hospital and discharged as cured, there suddenly ensues a fatal result, and at all times, after such an experience pneumonia has to be guarded against."