One reason for Engine 27’s outstanding wagon pipe statistics owes to the fact it became the company’s running joke. Members would contrive situations where only a good master stream would suffice, such as this discarded mattress in the 1300 block of Kenilworth Ave NE. However, when some neighborhood kids offered to drag it someplace else and put it out, and the lady in the house offered to use her lemonade pitcher to help, the wagon pipe was discontinued and other means employed. “Wind and elevation, Mr. Sadowski…”
Kevin Byrne