Two Chicago Fire Department officers died in the line of duty following an April 28, 1955, arson fire at a hotel on N. Green Street. Captain Edward Duller of Engine 42, a member of the department for thirteen years, died when a stairway collapsed under him and six other firefighters during the 4-11 fire, and Second Deputy Fire Marshal James R. Hughes, a thirty-three year veteran, suffered a heart attack during the blaze and died ten days later.
Firefighters rescued more than fifty occupants from the hotel, but seven occupants were killed and more than twenty were injured. Two smaller fires had occurred at the same hotel during the preceding year, and investigators determined that the fatal fire had been deliberately started.
Both Duller and Hughes had been recognized for exceptional bravery during their careers, and Hughes, one of ten firefighters in his family, had received the Chicago Tribune “Hero Award” in 1953.
Memorial services were held for Duller at St. Stephen’s Church on May 2, 1955, and funeral mass was held for Hughes on May 11, 1955, at the Little Flower Church.
Firefighters rescued more than fifty occupants from the hotel, but seven occupants were killed and more than twenty were injured. Two smaller fires had occurred at the same hotel during the preceding year, and investigators determined that the fatal fire had been deliberately started.
Both Duller and Hughes had been recognized for exceptional bravery during their careers, and Hughes, one of ten firefighters in his family, had received the Chicago Tribune “Hero Award” in 1953.
Memorial services were held for Duller at St. Stephen’s Church on May 2, 1955, and funeral mass was held for Hughes on May 11, 1955, at the Little Flower Church.
Two Chicago Fire Department officers died in the line of duty following an April 28, 1955, arson fire at a hotel on N. Green Street. Captain Edward Duller of Engine 42, a member of the department for thirteen years, died when a stairway collapsed under him and six other firefighters during the 4-11 fire, and Second Deputy Fire Marshal James R. Hughes, a thirty-three year veteran, suffered a heart attack during the blaze and died ten days later.
Firefighters rescued more than fifty occupants from the hotel, but seven occupants were killed and more than twenty were injured. Two smaller fires had occurred at the same hotel during the preceding year, and investigators determined that the fatal fire had been deliberately started.
Both Duller and Hughes had been recognized for exceptional bravery during their careers, and Hughes, one of ten firefighters in his family, had received the Chicago Tribune “Hero Award” in 1953.
Memorial services were held for Duller at St. Stephen’s Church on May 2, 1955, and funeral mass was held for Hughes on May 11, 1955, at the Little Flower Church.
Firefighters rescued more than fifty occupants from the hotel, but seven occupants were killed and more than twenty were injured. Two smaller fires had occurred at the same hotel during the preceding year, and investigators determined that the fatal fire had been deliberately started.
Both Duller and Hughes had been recognized for exceptional bravery during their careers, and Hughes, one of ten firefighters in his family, had received the Chicago Tribune “Hero Award” in 1953.
Memorial services were held for Duller at St. Stephen’s Church on May 2, 1955, and funeral mass was held for Hughes on May 11, 1955, at the Little Flower Church.
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