Commemorating the Collinwood School Fire

Cleveland Fire Chief Anthony Luke, his Command Staff, Public Education, B6, E31 and L31 joined the Dean of Cleveland City Council, and the teachers, staff, and students at Cleveland Metropolitan School District Memorial School to honor the 115th anniversary of the Collinwood School Fire in which 172 children, two teachers, and one rescuer perished.

“You are the most important thing in your house,” Chief Luke told the K-8 Students, asking them to help the fire department by checking their smoke alarms and having an escape plan for their family in case of fire adding, “Once you are outside, never go back in!”

Lieutenant Domonic Draft discussed fire safety, encouraging students to “stay low and go” in case of smoke in the house.

The former Collinwood Volunteer Fire Department is now Engine and Ladder 31 at

925 East 152nd Street. Both companies displayed equipment and how quickly they could don their turnout gear to get ready to fight a fire.

The Collinwood School Fire, which happened on March 4, 1908, is credited with enhanced building construction and fire code requirements making modern school buildings much safer.