From Chicagofirefightersmonument.org:

On January 28, 1961, at 6:30 a.m., the Chicago Fire Department was called to a severe fire at a seven-story warehouse located at 614 W. Hubbard Street. The building was fully engulfed within minutes, and just 20 minutes into the response, the alarm was escalated to a 5-11, signaling a major incident. Over 300 firefighters, 67 pieces of equipment, and two fireboats were deployed, with water pumped directly from the Chicago River.

Battalion Chief George Kuhn led a team of firefighters onto the roof of an adjacent two-story structure to position a hose line into the burning warehouse. Suddenly, the wall of the burning building collapsed, crushing the smaller building and burying Chief Kuhn and his crew under the debris. As other firefighters rushed in to rescue those trapped, the roof of the smaller building also gave way, burying both the victims and the rescuers beneath the rubble.

This tragic event resulted in the deaths of nine firefighters, including two battalion chiefs. Their bravery and sacrifice remain remembered as part of Chicago's firefighting history.

  • Battalion Chief George Rees, Engine 40, Battalion 1
  • Battalion Chief George Kuhn, Engine 19, Battalion 5
  • Lt. Charles Rauch, Engine 114
  • Lt. Louis Repkin, Truck 19
  • Firefighter Hillard S. Augustine, Squad 10
  • Firefighter William Hillistad, Engine 44
  • Firefighter Stanley Sliwinski, Engine 26
  • Firefighter Ciro Zuccarello, Engine 26
  • Firefighter Robert Burns, Squad 2

Thanks, Dan

hubbard_street_sully_kolomay-1 hubbard_street_sully_kolomay-2

Click the link above for a photo gallery that is courtesy of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago. These images offer a powerful reminder of the dangers faced by firefighters and the courage they showed on that fateful day in 1961.

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