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From the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:
On a cold morning in Chicago, just after 2:30 am on December 17, 1953, firefighters were called to 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 fire quickly escalated to three alarms, bringing over 100 firefighters to the scene.
The hotel was under renovation but still open for business. The manager, alerted by the smell of smoke, rushed to the first floor to warn guests. A police patrol also reported the fire around the same time. In total, 75 people were rescued, with only one person— a 45-year-old resident believed to have started the fire—losing their life. Authorities later found a note in his pocket confessing to multiple crimes, including setting fires in 12 other apartment buildings.
As firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, disaster struck when the front of the building suddenly collapsed 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 in the rubble.
Despite the freezing temperatures and icy conditions, firefighters spent six hours digging through the wreckage with their bare hands and tools. By 4:30 am, the fire was finally under control. However, the real battle began as crews worked to rescue trapped firefighters and civilians. They faced the constant risk of another collapse, all while working in brutal cold.
The Chicago Daily News reported that “At the height of the rescue work, all of the city’s police and fire resuscitators were at the wreckage to revive firemen as they were rescued.†The Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food, warm drinks, and shelter to both residents and emergency responders.
The first firefighter recovered was Robert Jordan from Truck Company 2, who had died in the collapse. His wife, Edyth, arrived at the scene clutching a photo of him from a previous fire, unaware of the tragedy. She was told he was injured, and she went to the hospital expecting to see him alive. Instead, she was informed of his death.
A few hours later, the bodies of George Malik and John Jarose, both from Engine Company 31, were found. Among the trapped was Ray Nowicki, who was stuck in a small pocket of debris. Firefighters communicated with him as they worked to free him. “I’m fine—just take it easy,†he said. Meanwhile, Dr. Joseph Campbell was held by the ankles so he could give Nowicki an injection, while Dr. Herman Bundesen crawled into the pile to administer morphine to Firefighter John Measner.
Lieutenant Theodore Patronski and nine other firefighters were trapped in a ten-foot square hole. They shouted for help, but no one heard them for a long time. Rescuers eventually found them when they spotted Patronski’s leg sticking out of the rubble.
The search continued for Captain Nicholas Schmidt of Engine Company 107 and Firefighter Robert Schaack of Truck 19. Their families stood vigil, praying for their safe return. Eventually, a crane was brought in to clear the debris, and both men were found among the wreckage.
Thanks, Drew
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