In the On this Day Series our volunteer, Retired Firefighter/Heritage Officer, Dave Farries QFSM, highlights important days in fire history.
A sad day for the Edinburgh Fire Engine Establishment as their first ‘line of duty’ death occurs. Fireman No.9 Peter Mann of the Blue Engine died on the 1st of April 1826 of the injuries he sustained at the top of Dundas Street whilst enroute to a fire at Warriston, then a small village at the edge of the city, on the 26th March 1826.
Whilst it is not recorded how his injuries came about, we suspect given the information we have, that the crew were most likely arresting the Engine’s travel by hauling back on the ropes normally used to pull the Engine along (it should be noted that none of the appliances acquired by the City after the Great Fire of the previous year had any brakes). The crew would be lined along both sides of the appliance gripping the handholds of the specially made ropes attached to the front and having already descended the North side of Hanover Street past Queen Street and Heriot Row attempting to prevent the Engine from running away with them they reached the top of Dundas Street. Given the time of year, the cobbled streets would be damp and slippery with early morning dew, or even frost, and the firemen would struggle to get a grip with their leather soled and heeled boots. Despite the extensive length of the ropes Fireman Mann was obviously one of those closest to the appliance and he probably lost his footing and before action could be taken, he slipped under the wheels of the appliance and it ran over him. He was transported to the Royal Infirmary where he died 6 days later.
We are fortunate that James Braidwood, the first Master of Engines and later designated Firemaster (a term formerly used in the 1703 Edinburgh Fire Act) kept meticulous records of every fire the Establishment attended. (These records can still be viewed by prior arrangement with the Edinburgh City Archives Department) In the record of this incident he notes at the bottom that Fm Mann was injured when the appliance ran over him and was taken to hospital. He subsequently made a further note below to record Fm Mann’s death.