On March 17, 1890, what began as a routine basement fire at the Bowen-Merrill Bookstore on West Washington Street escalated into the deadliest disaster in the history of the Indianapolis Fire Department. Louis Rafert, a member of Engine Company No. 3, was stationed on the roof of the four-story building when the structure suddenly collapsed. The collapse dropped numerous firefighters into the flames, claiming 13 lives and leaving more than a dozen others, including Rafert, with serious injuries. Rafert was pulled from the ruins and hospitalized for several months; though he later returned to light duty on a supply wagon, his injuries eventually forced his retirement on a pension in 1896.
Louis Rafert died 7 April 1903 and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. Louis Rafert and Anna had the following children:
+129 i.
Luella Rafert.
130 ii.
L. Fred Rafert (Private).
131 iii.
Helen Rafert (Private).
+132 iv.
Thomas C. Rafert.
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