Michael Maltus
1
903-1917
LODD
According to the City Council minutes, Michael Maltus was appointed to the "call force" (paid on call) on July 11, 1903.
Captain Michael Maltus died on December 6, 1917, when the munitions ship Mont Blanc exploded in front of Pier 6 in Halifax Harbour.
Captain Maltus replaced a firefighter that was sick with the flu and refused to go on the call even after being threatened with disciplinary action. In the final moments before the explosion, hoses were being unrolled as the fire spread to the docks. Firefighters under the direction of Captain Broderick were hooking the Patricia to a hydrant and running hose from the hose wagon that was out of Isleville engine house, and getting ready to start the attack on the fire which had spread from the burning ship to the pier.
Captain Maltus died instantly. His death certificate lists the cause of death as: “Shock due to injuries from explosion”.