IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name William Sikora
Agency Chicago Fire Department
Rank Captain
Type of Firefighter Career
Age Range [Unknown]
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/0
Date of Death 6/16/1925
Cause of Death Contact/Exposure
Nature of Death Asphyxiation
Attribute of Death Equipment failure
Type of Duty SCBA operations , Search and rescue operations

Incident Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Chicago
Incident State IL
Incident Date 6/16/1925
Incident Location Construction site
Incident Attribute Gas leaks , Medical emergencies

Incident Summary

On June 16, 1925, Chicago Fire Department Captain William Sikora of Squad 2 died in the line of duty while rescuing trapped construction workers from an underground caisson chamber on West Jackson Boulevard. Firefighters responded to the scene after three workers in the chamber collapsed and lost consciousness due to leaking sewer gas. Sikora descended into the caisson chamber wearing a breathing apparatus, and successfully revived two construction workers who he sent to the surface. Sikora also recovered the body of one dead worker, but he collapsed from asphyxiation when his breathing apparatus ran out of oxygen before he himself could climb out of the caisson.

Citation:

“Fire Captain Saves 2 Lives, But Loses Own,” Chicago Daily Tribune, June 17, 1925.


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