Funeral arrangements for Detroit Firefighter Michael Lubig are as follows:
Information for firefighters attending services below
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Active Firefighter – Engine 58
Lived: 10-04-1972 to 11-12-2018
Served: 01-25-1999 to 11-12-2018
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Lived: 08-28-1966 to 07-29-2017
Served: 07-19-1999 to 07-29-2017
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At 9:16 pm Thursday, December 7, 1905 Engine 27 was called to respond to an alarm from Box 46.
Lt. Michael J. Sheahan leapt towards the firehouse pole at Engine 27’s quarters (located at Junction and Rogers) to slide from the 2nd floor dormitory to the apparatus bay. Losing his grip Sheahan fell through the pole hole and plunged 15 feet to the floor below. He landed on his head fracturing his skull. Lt. Sheahan was taken to Red Cross Hospital in very serious condition.
At 6 am on the morning of December 8, 1905 Michael died from his injuries. His wife and son were by his side. Out of respect for Lt. Sheahan all the flags on Detroit’s firehouses were placed at half-staff.
Michael joined the fire department on October 1, 1889. He was promoted to Lieutenant November 11 1897. Lt. Sheahan had been transferred to Engine 27 just 2 months before his death.
Michael James Sheahan was 49 years old. He left behind his wife of 14 years Alice, his 9 year old daughter Violet and 7 year old son Stephen.
On December 11, 1905 Lt. Michael J. Sheahan was buried by the department at Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit.
Shortly before 3:00 am on Sunday, July 12, 1942 a fire was reported at Lewis Artist Supply Company, 6408 Woodward Avenue near Baltimore Street. The initial companies on scene found the fire difficult to fight due to the intense heat generated by the paint and other supplies within the store.
Detroit Firefighter Stanley Hausch. Killed in the line of duty, July 12, 1942.
Additional fire companies were called as the fire began spreading to other business along Woodward and Baltimore. It eventually went to a 4th alarm with a total of 17 fire companies and the Chief of Department Alexander Thompson responding.
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Detroit Fire Department Captain Werner G. Blaess made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Detroit on April 11, 1954. At the time of his death Werner was assigned to Engine 1.
Captain Blaess responded with Engine 1 to a fire at Twelfth Street and Michigan Avenue. After entering the burning building twice Werner collapsed and died from a heart attack.
At the time of his death Captain Blaess had been with the Detroit Fire Department for 30 years. He was 54 years old.
Werner left behind his wife, Laura, two daughters, Dorothy and Mary Jane, a son Robert W. and 12 grandchildren. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Fred Bergman made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the citizens of Detroit on April 4, 1947. At the time of his death Fred was assigned to Engine 32.
Initially it was thought that Bergman had become overcome by smoke while fighting a fire in a residence at 9343 E. Vernor. He was revived at the scene, but became ill while his company was returning to their quarters.
Sergeant Bergman was transported to Receiving Hospital. He passed away about 40 minutes after reaching the hospital. It was later found that he had suffered a heart attack.
At the time of his death Fred was 49 years old. He was a 23 year veteran of the department.
Fred left behind a wife and daughter.
Funeral arrangements for two members of the Detroit Fire Department who passed away last week have been announced.
The two died in separate incidents just 2 days apart while on duty at two Detroit fire stations.
Related Story: Second Detroit Firefighter Death On Duty in 2 Days.
Last alarm information was issued by the Detroit Firemen’s Fund Association as follows:
ACTIVE Sergeant, Ladder 13
Lived: 02/06/1966 to 11/19/2015
Served: 08/10/1992 to 11/19/2015
Visitation: Friday, November 27, 2015
James H. Cole Home for Funerals – NW Chapel
16100 Schaefer Hwy., Detroit, MI 48235
Visitation is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm
(The Smith family will be at the funeral home
to receive guests from 4:00pm to 7:00pm)
Service: Saturday, November 28, 2015
Family Hour: 10:00am
Funeral 11:00am
Greater Life Apostolic Church
5276 Tireman, Detroit MI 48204
Interment: Detroit Memorial Park – East
4280 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren, MI
ACTIVE Captain, Fireboat
Lived: 11/07/1950 to 11/20/2015
Served: 05/08/2002 to 11/20/2015
Memorial Visitation: Saturday, December 5, 2015 10:30 – 11:00am
St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
7685 Grandville, Detroit, MI, 48228
Service: Saturday, December 5, 2015 11:00am
St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
7685 Grandville, Detroit, MI, 48228
Once again central office has delivered a radio message no firefighter wants to hear. 
For the second time in 2 days the Detroit Fire Department grieves the lost another member who died while on duty. Walter Szelag, Captain of Fire Boat 1, passed away from what appears to be a heart attack.
At approximately 4:15 pm, November 20, 2015 crew members radioed for an ambulance to be sent to the fire boat station. Captain Szelag was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead. At 5:47 pm department radios delivered the sad news. ““Central office regrets to inform you of the untimely death of Capt. Walter Szelag of Fire Boat 1.”
One firefighter reported that this was Captain Szelag’s last scheduled shift of the season before the Fire Boat is shut down for the winter.
Related Story: Funeral Arrangements For 2 Detroit Fire Department
Members Who Died While On Duty
Captain Szelag’s death comes on the heals of another Detroit Firefighter death. Just 2 days prior, November 18, 2015, Sgt. Vincent “Vinny” Smith passed away while on duty at Engine 48’s quarters.
Vincent “Vinny” Smith on the roof while he was a firefighter at Ladder 19.
He was found at approximately 7:30 am seated in his recliner. At this point there an official cause of death has not been released, his death also appears to be from a heart attack.
Vinny served on the department for 23 years and was currently assigned to L-13. Sgt. Smith leaves behind a wife and 5 children.
Related Story: Funeral Arrangements For 2 Detroit Fire Department
Members Who Died While On Duty
Detroit Fire Department History – March 7, 1895
An accident caused the death of one Detroit Fireman and injured 8 others.
At 3:23 am, Hook and Ladder Company #5 was called to a fire at 1036 St. Aubin Avenue, Box 273. The regular driver was on leave and Ladderman Anthony Kort took his place.
After extinguishing the fire and picking up, Ladder 5 headed back to their station shortly after 4 am. They crossed the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroad tracks at Canfield Avenue. A careless watchman had been taken ill and had to leave his post. He neglected to lower the crossing gates before leaving. The rig was struck by a locomotive. Crew members later stated they had not heard a locomotive whistle or bell that would have indicated the train was approaching.
Detroit Fire Department Hook and Ladder Company – 1890
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