IFLODD: Firefighter Memorial


Firefighter Record

Firefighter Details

Name Michael Ehret
Agency Chicago Fire Department
Rank Captain
Type of Firefighter [Unknown]
Age Range [Unknown]
Sex Male
Date of Birth 0/0/0
Date of Death 10/8/1906
Cause of Death Vehicle collision
Nature of Death Trauma
Attribute of Death [not applicable]
Type of Duty Responding to/returning from incident

Incident Details

Incident Name N/A
Incident City Chicago
Incident State IL
Incident Date 10/8/1906 17:50
Incident Location Street/Road
Incident Attribute Traffic accidents

Incident Summary

On October 8, 1906, Chicago Fire Department Captain Michael Ehret of Truck 25 died in the line of duty while responding to a fire on Ridge Avenue. Ehret was killed when Truck 25 collided with a Chicago and Northwestern Railroad train at the intersection of Estes and Ravenswood Park Avenue.

The railroad crossing’s gateman spotted the approaching fire truck, but could not see the southbound train because a stopped freight car was blocking his view. When he realized the danger, the gateman swung his lantern as a warning to the fire truck and the train, but neither vehicle stopped.

Ehret was killed instantly in the collision, and another firefighter’s leg was severed, but the remaining firefighters were able to jump clear of the crash. The fire truck was destroyed, as were the two horses pulling the truck. The engineer and fireman of the train were arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Citations:

“Train Hits Firemen; 1 Dead,” Chicago Daily Tribune, October 9, 1906.


Firefighter and Incident Images

Firefighter and Incident Audio

No Audio for this Firefighter/Incident record

Navigation