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Los Angeles Fire Department
Historical Archive


Hose Company No. 1


The Companies The Fire House

  East L.A. Hose Company No. 2
Disbanded  
  Chemical Engine Co. No. 3  
  (East L. A. Hose Co. No. 2 closed and
   firemen transferred to Chemical Co. 3)


Hose Company No. 1 Organized
Relocated to Engine 8's quarters
Relocated to Chemical Engine 3 quarters
  (Chemical Engine 3 closed)
Disbanded
.
  Engine Company No. 70 Organized
  Engine No. 70 moved to new quarters

? to 1892
1895
1895




February 1, 1886
December 23, 1896
1900

1926

1929
February, 1935

.
.
113 South Griffing Ave.
(Griffin & Downey)



512 S. Spring Street
348 South Hill Street
113 South Griffin Ave.




  Fire House closed

.

1895




February 1, 1886
December 23, 1896
1900

 

1935


East L.A. Hose Company No. 1
Griffin Avenue near Downey Avenue
East Los Angeles

 ? - 1895



Source: Bruce Norman Collection
1893


Hose Company No. 1
Griffin Avenue near Downey Avenue
East Los Angeles

1900 -



Source: LAFD Illustrated 1900

Hose Company No. 1
1900

This Fire House was opened October 20, 1892 and may have housed the volunteer company East L.A. Hose Company No. 2.  When Hose 2 closed in 1895 the firemen were transferred to the newly formed Chemical Engine Company No. 3.  In 1900 Chemical 3 closed and Hose Company No. 1 went into service.  In 1929 Hose 1 closed and Engine Company No. 70 went into service.  This Fire House was closed in February 1935.

Building Opened

October 20, 1892

Land Cost $   800.
Building Cost $1,800.

August 2, 1902

HOSE WAGON OVERTURNED
  WHILE GOING TO FIRE.

__.__

TWO MEMBERS OF DEPARTMENT SEVERELY INJURED
__.__

Too Dark to See the Road, Driver Turns Team Over Low Embankment and Causes Serious Wreck---Wonderful Escape from Death.

__.__

  That the members of the fire department take their lives in their hands every time they respond to an alarm was exemplified last night by an accident which demolished a combination chemical engine and hose wagon, injured two members of the company, and necessitate the substitution of another company, miles away, until the injured men can recover and their wagon can be repaired.  The accident happened to home company No. 1, of East Los Angeles, while it was responding to a telephone alarm for a brush fire in the vicinity of Eastlake Park.

  The company was one of two to receive the alarm, and went out of its quarters on a fast run.  The fire looked big.  While going along Alhambra avenue, the driver directed his team along what appeared to be the beaten road, but soon found that there are two roads, one several feet above the other.  William Banning is driver of the company, and not knowing that there was an embankment between the roads, he pulled his team into the other road, and instantly the hose wagon plunged over the embankment and was overturned.

    Banning might have saved himself had he let his team go, but knowing that the lives of the other members of the company were in his hands, he clung to the reins, and was thrown clear of the wagon.  He struck on his shoulder, and face in the soft dirt, and his shoulder was dislocated.  His face was terribly lacerated, and he sustained internal injuries which may prove serious.
 
  On the seat with Banning was Hoseman S. A. Alvarez, and he, too, was thrown into the street, striking within a few feet of Banning.  He was rendered unconscious by the fall, but soon recovered.  His injuries are not necessarily dangerous, but it was necessary for him to be conveyed to his home and a physician called.

  Lieut. Levis, who is in command of the company, was riding on the body of the wagon, and was also thrown.  He struck on his feet and was not injured.  The horses dragged the wrecked hose wagon a few rods and stopped, the weight of Banning on the reins making it impossible for them to travel far.

  As soon as possible, the injured men were conveyed to their homes, and Dr. Yost attended Banning.  The physician stated that his condition is serious, but he will probably recover.

  The Chief went hastily to the scene.  He ordered the No. 2 hose company from Winfield street to take the place of the No. 1 company, until the damaged wagon can be repaired.

 



Source: LAFD Photo Album Collection
 

Hose Company No. 1
Circa 1900

Lieutenant Levia  (seated left side)
Driver William (Bill) H. Banning
Fireman Gus Alvarez



Source: LAFD Illustrated 1900
1900


Source: Photo by Turk & Haelsig
1908


Source: Fireman Henry F. McCann
Scrap Book Collection
Circa 1914




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

Hose Company No. 1
Circa 1912
 

Hose Company No. 1 was motorized in late 1911 with this 1911 Seagrave Auto Combination Chemical and Hose, Shop Number 63



Source: Jayne Maureen McKnight,
Daughter of Fireman James Wayne McKnight,
Grand daughter of Engineer James Harry McKnight

Hose Company No. 1

Fireman James Harry McKnight
standing on the right.



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