Chicago 22, 1910.

[grumpy grizzly]

At 4AM on December 22, 1910, Chicago Fire transmitted Box 2162, 43rd and Loomis Streets, for an ADT signal from a warehouse in the StockYards. 5 engines and two truck companies responded and found heavy smoke conditions. Units were hampered by low water conditions, system had been shut off to prevent freezing. By 4:45 this incident was a 4-11 when an explosion and collapse trapped many members working in close proximity to the fire building. 21 members, including the Chief of Department were killed. Until the 9-11 incident this was the largest single loss of paid firefighters at one incident. This fire was one of 292 extra alarms including a 1934 fire in the same general area that reached 14 alarms. The area is now an industrial park with printing, mailing, manufacturing and chemical companies located there.