Cheshire Fire Medical Emergency Fatality 1930

On March 24, 1930, 67-year-old John Clancy died suddenly while assisting in fire suppression efforts in the Berkshire Mountains of far western Massachusetts. Clancy was one of 30 men who mobilized and were supervised by the local fire warden to help suppress two grass fires, which, together, added to approximately 25 acres. Around noon that day, Clancy suddenly collapsed on the line. Fellow firefighters attempted to revive him, but were unable to do so. It was believed that Clancy succumbed to heart failure from overexertion. Another man, Frank Hinckley, also suffered an apparent heart attack on this incident and was taken to his home to rest. Initially, he seemed to have recovered. However, six weeks later, he passed away from an unspecified illness. 

Medical or Exertion or Heat, Medical Emergency, Fatality