In October of 1916, the Wichita Eagle praised the Fire Department with an article which noted that the Wichita Department was unexcelled because of motor equipment, brainy officials, and competent men. Wichita's fire loss had been held to a minimum but the loss was to soar in a very short time.

On December 22, 1916, at 1:56 a.m., an alarm was received for the Masonic Home, located at Seneca and Maple. Ten minutes later, firemen were carrying the residents from the house as flames continued to race through the building. The battle lasted for five hours with the toll of nine dead, twenty-three injured and hospitalized, not counting many firemen who suffered burns from the intense heat and smoke. The men of the Fire Department had been tested by the night of terror, the most disastrous fire in the history of Wichita.

The Department was lauded by the press and by the Masonic Lodge. A resolution was adopted by the City Commission stating:

RESOLVE: That in order that a lasting memorial be made for the Department. That these resolutions be transcribed on parchment in the best style of penmans art. That the names of the members of the Department follow these resolutions under the heading "Heroes of the Masonic Home Fire."

Another resolution by the Masonic Lodge was drawn commending the heroic efforts of the firemen. The Wichita Fire Department had earned a lasting debt of gratitude never to be forgotten.