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From the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
On a freezing morning in Chicago, just after 2:30 am on December 17, 1953, firefighters received an urgent call about a fire at the Reliance Hotel located at 1702 West Madison Street. Upon arrival, they found the three-story building fully engulfed in flames. The situation quickly escalated to three alarms, bringing over 100 firefighters to the scene.
The hotel, which was undergoing renovations, was still open for business. The manager, alerted by the smell of smoke, woke up and began evacuating guests while heading to the first floor to report the fire. A police patrol also arrived around the same time. In total, 75 people were rescued, with only one occupant suffering fatal injuries—a 45-year-old resident believed to have started the fire. Authorities later discovered a note in his pocket confessing to multiple crimes, including setting fires in 12 apartment buildings.
As firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, the front of the building suddenly collapsed at around 3:49 am. Those on the roof managed to escape by sliding down the collapsing structure, while those inside were not as fortunate. Dozens of firefighters went missing following the collapse.
Despite the icy conditions, firefighters spent six hours digging through the rubble with their bare hands and tools, while others fought to contain the fire. By 4:30 am, the flames were finally under control.
Once the fire was contained, rescue efforts continued in the frigid temperatures, with crews working to save any trapped firefighters. At the peak of the operation, every available firefighter and paramedic from the city was on site, trying to revive those pulled from the wreckage. The Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food, warm drinks, and shelter to both residents and emergency workers.
The first firefighter recovered was Robert Jordan from Truck Company 2, who had died. His wife, Edyth, arrived at the scene clutching a newspaper photo of him from another fire, unaware that he had already passed away. She was led to Presbyterian Hospital, where she was told he was injured—only to learn later that he had succumbed to his injuries.
Hours later, the bodies of George Malik and John Jarose, both from Engine Company 31, were found.
One firefighter, Ray Nowicki, was trapped in a small pocket of debris that wasn’t immediately accessible. Firefighters communicated with him as they worked to free him, and he remained calm, saying, “I’m fine—just take it easy.†Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph Campbell was lowered into the hole by his ankles so he could give Nowicki a painkiller. Dr. Herman Bundesen also crawled into the rubble to administer morphine to Firefighter John Measner while others carefully moved bricks to help free him.
Lieutenant Theodore Patronski and nine other firefighters were trapped in a ten-foot square space. They shouted for help for hours, but no one heard them until rescuers spotted Patronski’s leg sticking out of the debris. He and his crew were eventually pulled to safety.
Captain Nicholas Schmidt of Engine Company 107 and Firefighter Robert Schaack of Truck 19 were still missing. Lillian Schmidt and her two daughters prayed at home with rosaries, hoping for their safe return. Their sons waited anxiously at the scene. Eventually, a crane was brought in to clear the wreckage, and the bodies of Captain Schmidt and Firefighter Schaack were recovered.
Thanks, Drew.
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