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Engine 53

4005 S. Packers now closed for years and the company long ago put out of service .

 

Engine 53 was first put into service on Jan.14, 1905.

 

On December 22, 1910 a large fire in the Union Stockyards killed 21 Chicago Firemen the most killed in this country until the World trade Centers. All members of Engine 53 were killed in that fire. When this company was put out of service I do not know. It was not in service when I join the department in 1970

 

Update: That all members were killed at the Stockyards fire may not be true. I read that they were but the official record does not show that.

 

May 29, 1912: Pipeman George Laughlin, was killed by a train while

responding to a fire at 41st and Loomis

 

July 22, 1936: Fireman Thomas Fitzgerald, was electrocuted at a fire at 1537 W. 46th street.

 

July 22, 1955: Lt. Berneal Deady, died of a heart attack while fighting a fire at the Swift Co. Racine and Exchange in the Union Stockyards

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Uploaded on March 17, 2009
Taken on March 17, 2009