Firefighter John Owens of Hose Co. 4 died on April 29, 1913. He responded with his company to an alarm in at 402 Depot St. in North Scranton and had returned to his station.  Hose Co. 4 was summoned about an hour later for a rekindle of the fire.  Firefighter Owens grabbed a chemical and prepared it for use while his officer pulled away some of the burning wood.  Without warning the chemical can exploded in his hands.  He was rushed to the State Hospital where he died a few hours later. 

Fireman Owens' great-grandson Thomas Owens is a Firefighter for the City of Scranton.

(Courtesy of the Mark Boock Collection)