Lieutenant Roman W. Ritters, Los Angeles Fire Department

In Memory of
Lieutenant Roman W. Ritters
Hose Company No. 1
Appointed August 15, 1907
Died June 20, 1919
Died of burns suffered June 9 at brush fire.
Marmion Way and Pasadena Avenue
Mt. Washington

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Roman W. Ritters at Engine Company No. 9
November 1908
Photo source: Los Angeles Fire Department

FIFTY-TWO ALARMS ON HOTTEST DAY OF YEAR SO FAR

Two persons were probably fatally injured and for a time the entire Mt. Washington district was threatened by grass fires, which yesterday resulted in fifty-two alarms being sent in to the fire department, a record for one day in Los Angeles. Every piece of fire fighting apparatus was in use over three hours yesterday afternoon.
Lieut. Roman E. Ritters, 43 years of age, of 804 W. Fiftieth Place in command of Hose Company No. 1. was caught by a back draught while attempting to save a number of houses near Pasadena avenue and Marmion way and was seriously burned about the head, face and body. At the Receiving Hospital it was stated that he may die.

Hose Company No. 1
Circa 1914
113 South Griffin Avenue near Downey Avenue
East Los Angeles

Apparatus: 1914 Moreland Auto Fire Extinguisher
Company Combination Wagon - shop #68

Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection
Courtesy Captain Robert Foster, LAFD Retired

Hose Company No. 1 began as East L.A. Hose Company No. 2 in 1892. It became
Chemical Engine Co. No. 3 in 1895. In 1900 it became Hose Company No. 1 and
remained so until 1929 when it became Engine Company No. 70 at 113 South Griffin Ave.