File:Captain Michael Norton Engine 21 in The Boston Globe of Boston, Massachusetts on May 19, 1916.jpg

Capt. Michael Norton Engine 21. After a service of over 30 years in the department, many events crowd to the front demanding recognition as the most thrilling. There come to thy mind scenes at the old Globe Theatre flre. the Brown Durrell, and the Roxbury general alarm fires, all of which were Indeed thrilling in themselves. "However, if was on April 12, 1908 that I had my most exciting experience. At that time I was captain of Engine 5 in East Boston, which was the first company to arrive in Chelsea when assistance was called from Boston. "On arriving at the fire I received orders from Chief Spencer to take my line to a point near the place where the tire had started. We had dragged the line into a narrow passageway to head off the fire from spreading any further In that direction. "Just as we got water Lieutenant Michael J. O'Brien, who had gone back to pass the word for water found that the fire had come in back of us in such a way that we were cut off from escape from the passageway. lie shouted to us and on perceiving the danger we fought '3 ur way back through the flames and smoke.1 "What saved us was that we had water in our line. Otherwise. there Is not telling what would have happened. The heat was so intense that one whole length of the hose was burned and had to be taken out when we reached the I street."For 1912 hours we battled with the flames that were consuming the city. From the terrible punishment received ! from that fire Lieutenant O'Brien, a splendid officer and able fireman, went off duty when we returned to quarters. It later 1 resulted in his death. "At dusk it was appalling to behold the I panorama of charred ruins extending in all directions far as the eye could see. It was pathetic, too, to see the homeless I men, women and children conveying but a few belongings and wandering about aimlessly without a place to lay their i heads." ... Captain Norton was appointed to the call service Oct 10, 1885. and made a permanent man February 16, 1888, on Ladder 1. He was promoted lieutenant August 25, 1896 and captain January 24, 1908. He has served on Ladder companies 1, 3, 5 and 20 and Engines 5, 6, 21 and 43.

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