The morning journal-courier., 1908-05-06
EXPLOSION VERDICT
Coroner Mix Files Statement Regarding Death of Lieu
 tenant Conlan.
SOME REC0MMEN
Finds That Heater Had No safety Valve, and Others in City Are In
 Like Condition.

Coroner Mix yesterday afternoon completed his investigation into the explosion at Number i's engine house which caused the death of Lieut., Frank Conlan and made public his verdict in the case. The finding IS one of accident entirely, of course, but cmbodies in it some suggestions re- garding the care to be exercises at fire stations by having the best of ap- paratus and machinery. The finding in full follows:
 |, tho undersigned, coroner for New Haven county, having notice or the death of Frank Conlan. q white male, about j2 years old, late Of the town and county If New Haven, state of Connecticut, who on the third day of May, 1908, came to a violent death in the town of New Haven. in said county and state, and having mace immediate inquiry concerning his death. do hereby certify that said Frank Conlan died in the city of New Haven. on May 3, 1908, from injuries received by explosion of heater, i Frank Conlan was lieutenant Of ! Fire company No {, located at ire engine house on St. John street New I Haven.
 After hard and faithful service at the fire which occurred on State street, upon the afternoon of May 2, 1908, he returned with his company to She said fro cpgne house and at s;3o o'clock in thS evening. and in the perform ance of his duty, vas in the basement of said fire engine house, superintend- ing the taking in of the ire-hose used at said fire Just at this time. small "Defance hot water heater made ny The Gurney Heater Manufacturing company, and installed in said house about twelve years agb and located in said basement, whose use was 10 furnish and keep up supply oi steam to the fire engine upon the floor above by reason of some extra pressure oi steam upon said heater, exploded ana deccasc was struck by some pieces of east iron of which it was construct 0cd and his left thigh severely acerat- cd and fractured, and other injuries received. He was taken to the Ne" , Haven hospital where he was oper' l atod mon. and where he died from { inc injuries SO received in the carly { morning hours of May 2. 1908.
 find this heater had no safety 2 value upon it, and that there arc o'ne, , similar heaters in other fire ensln'
 houses in the city which have none Q and recommend that all steam neat { CTS used in these fire houses not s' ? equipped be at once so supphed p' Q these safety appliances
 am of the opinion our Hre de 2 partmont apparatus and all its equlp q mcnt and appliances should oe or tn 6 most modern and complete design an' k construction and thus afford our bray l Arcmen, who imperil their lVes at r most daily, to the utmost protection q which in the performance of thcir du ' ties, they are entitled to and to on ' citizens as complete protection as s possible from loss of life and prop ,, erty.
 I am satisfied said death was nc caused bv the criminal act, omisso
 or carelessness of any other person Q ' persons and that nn inquest is unnec
 essary. Tn accordance with the sta' utc l have delivered the body or sal deceased to his family for burial Dated at New Haven, Connecucu
 this 5th day of May 1908
 ELI MIX, Q Coroner for New Haven County'