LaSalle Hotel Fire, Chicago 1946.

[grumpy grizzly]

On June 5, 1946 Chicago firefighters responded to a fire at the 23-story LaSalle Hotel. Engine 40, Truck 6, Squad 1 and BC Eugene Freemon were met with heavy fire in the lobby and transmitted a 2-11. Due to the extensive use of wood work fire soon had possession of several floors and eventually a 5-11 was sounded. Heavy smoke tavelled throughout the building, responsible for the deaths of 61 people, including BC Freemon. No sprinklers, detectors, or an alarm system contributed to the loss of life. Building was torn down in the 70's and replaced with a office building at the corner of Madison and LaSalle Street.

 

[CFDMarshal]

Grump, didn't the Lasalle Bank replace the hotel?

 

[grumpy grizzly]

LaSalle Bank Building, AKA The Field Building is @ 135 S. LaSalle. On December 8, 2004 a fire started on the 29th floor around 5:30 PM and eventually spread to the 30th floor resulting in a 5-11 and 3 special calls, or 1/3 of the department. LaSalle Hotel was demolished and replaced in 1979 by a commercial property known as 2 N LaSalle.