10/13/2026
On this date in Connecticut Fire History...
On October 13 in two separate years and incidents, the Connecticut Fire Service experienced two line of duty deaths
On October 13, 1889, Ludwig Uppstrom of Hubbard Hose #2 of the Middletown Fire Department died following fighting a fire in the basement of Burrs Grocery Store. Uppstrom had stumbled and fallen, breaking ribs while advancing a hose line into the building. At first it was thought that his injuries weren't serious.
He suddenly succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Uppstrom had immigrated here from Sweden less than two years earlier and was employed as an upholsterer. He and his wife had celebrated the birth of a child just three weeks before his death.
October 13, 1930...
Fireman Patrick J. Brennan, age 48, assigned to Engine Company #6 of the Norwich Fire Department died while fighting a brush fire. He was found during the fire overcome and semi-conscience.
He died after being taken for medical treatment. A medical examiner ruled his cause of death as "monoxide poisoning"
Brennan had twenty years of service with the fire department.
City of Middletown Professional Firefighters Local 1073
Middletown Tiller Association
Norwich Firefighters Local 892
Norwich Fire Department and Emergency Management
