Fire Department to Honor Petaluma Firefighter Who Died in 1912

Only one member of the Petaluma Fire Department has died in the line of duty, and it was more than 100 years ago.

But that doesn't mean he has been forgotten. The Petaluma Fire Department on Wednesday will honor James M. Mott, who was injured trying to extinguish a burning car in 1912. 

"Firefighter Mott suffered from fatal burns when an automobile exploded and sent a sheet of burning gasoline onto the group of firefighters and civilian bystanders," the department said in a press release. "Five firefighters, 17 civilians and four children suffered burns and were hospitalized."

The fire was on Oct. 20, 1912; Mott died on Oct. 23. He was the department's fire professional firefighter, the press release stated.

The department will remember him at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Fire Station 1, 198 D St., with a flag-raising and "Last Alarm" ceremony, according to the press release.

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