IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name William Fitzgerald
Agency Chicago Fire Department
Rank Firefighter
Type of Firefighter Career
Age Range [Unknown]
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/0
Date of Death 10/25/1931
Cause of Death Caught/Trapped , Contact/Exposure
Nature of Death Burns
Attribute of Death [not applicable]
Type of Duty Firefighting operations

Incident Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Chicago
Incident State IL
Incident Date 10/25/1931
Incident Location [Unknown]
Incident Attribute Explosions , Fires

Incident Summary

On October 25, 1931, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter William Fitzgerald of Squad 8 died in the line of duty while fighting a fire on South Parkway. The fire originally started when a still exploded, and Fitzgerald and four other firefighters were operating inside the building when a second explosion occurred. The firefighters were struck by a wall of flames, and Fitzgerald and another firefighter had to be dragged to safety by their captain. All five firefighters were burned, but Fitzgerald died from his injuries later that day at Michael Reese Hospital.

Citations:

“Five Firemen Burned in Still Blast Flames,” Chicago Daily Tribune, October 25, 1931.

“Fireman Burned Fighting Blaze Dies of Injuries,” Chicago Daily Tribune, October 26, 1931.


Firefighter and Incident Images

Firefighter and Incident Audio

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