By: Steve Grogan
In his historic discovery, Mattson has learned that, according to a story written in the Nassau Daily Review titled, Fire Lieutenant Succumbs After Early Morning Fire, Second Lieutenant Frederick J. Schnorr of Tally-Ho Engine Company No. 3, died in the line of duty on May 31, 1932 when he was felled by heavy smoke. This previously, uncovered fact changes accepted history in the village. Schnoor now stands as Lynbrook Fire Department-s first recorded death in the line of duty.
According to the records, at 2:10 a.m. a fire broke out in a store house at the rear of 3 Maple Avenue in Lynbrook. When the fire company arrived on the scene they found thick clouds of billowing smoke coming from stack upon stack of smoldering mattresses and woolen waste. Although there were no visible flames, the choking smoke made the fire extremely difficult to fight. Schnorr, 52-years-old at the time, entered the building to supervise.
Soon after, Schnorr was overcome by smoke and according to the newspaper account, was carried out by companions and first aid treatment was administered by members of the rescue squad. The article said that Schnorr however never regained consciousness and died at 4:45 a.m.
After uncovering the story, Mattson visited the Firefighter-s Memorial on Sunrise Highway and Earle Avenue only to discover that Schnorr-s name was not listed. The stone bears the names of eight other Lynbrook volunteers -- four who died in the line of duty and four others who were killed while serving in World War II. The first volunteer listed on the Memorial is Raymond A. Abrams who was killed in a fall from a fire truck in 1946 -- 14 years after Schnoor-s death.
Bill Dauscher, Tally-Ho-s financial secretary has been able to verify that Schnorr had been a member of that company for more than four years at the time of his death. The department lists his burial at Greenfield Cemetery in Hempstead.
Mattson is currently writing a book titled, The History of Lynbrook Before 1940. In it he writes: It is the sincere hope of this author that this book will help keep alive the memory of the sacrifice of Lt. Frederick J. Schnorr, volunteer firefighter.
It is ironic that at the time of Schnoor-s death, Howard G. Wilson, then mayor of Lynbrook said, Fred Schnorr was a modest, courageous fireman. He was alert and vigilant in the performance of his obligations as a volunteer fireman. His faithfulness and his devotion to duty and his service to the people of Lynbrook will ever be remembered by all of us.
Steve Grogan is an Ex-Captain in the Lynbrook Fire Department.
