This plaque commemorates Inspector Christopher Doherty and Fireman Peter Burke who were killed attending a fire at 30 Westmoreland Street on 20 May 1891.
The fire broke out at the premises of Graham’s chemists and Lafayette’s photographers, now part of CCT College.
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Graham’s chemist occupied the first two floors of the building, with Lafayette’s photographers on the next two, and living accommodation on the fifth floor. At approximately 2 a.m. on 20 May 1891 a fire was discovered on the third floor. There were four occupants on the fifth floor, two of whom managed to escape to the street and raise the alarm but two women were trapped on the fifth floor.
During the fire service response Inspector Christopher Doherty, 25 years’ service in Dublin Fire Brigade, holder of three chevrons for bravery for saving life on previous occasions, and Fireman Peter Bourke, three months’ service in Dublin Fire Brigade, paid the ultimate price in their role as firefighters and lost their lives here while saving the life of a civilian.
Inspector Doherty is buried in Kilbarrack Cemetery and Fireman Burke ‘s grave is in Glasnevin.
The plaque was unveiled by the Lord Mayor and the Chief Fire Officer on 19 May 2023.