| Fire Company | Ladder 8 |
| Cause of Death | Extensive Burns |
| At Fire Box Number | Still Alarm |
| Incident Type | Fire/Explosion |
| Incident Location | Refiners Oil Company - South & Depot |
West was burned and killed instantly in an explosion at the Refiners Oil Company at South and Depot Streets in the West End. He and the crew of Hooks 8 had responded to the report of a fire in the yard of the fuel company. The members of the fire company rushed in to the yard with fire extinguishers to try to stop a fire that was burning next to three large gasoline tanks. As they began to work on the fire, the nearest tank exploded, showering the firemen with burning gasoline. West, caught in the flood of burning fuel, struggled to make it out of the yard to the sidewalk where he died. West was un-married and boarded at 2169 Central Ave. He was 22.