Shortly after midnight on January 9, 1918, firefighters from the Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at the Chicago Theater, located at the intersection of West Chicago Avenue and Leavitt Street. The fire spread quickly through the theater and a 4-11 alarm was raised, but firefighting efforts were impeded by a heavy snowfall. Firefighters were operating in and around the theater when a wall collapsed, trapping eight firefighters in the debris.

Lieutenant Charles G. Anderson of Squad 2, Pipeman Frederick Stoll of Engine 26, Pipeman James G. Kerr of Engine 26, and Pipeman Peter J. Horan of Engine 24 were killed instantly in the collapse, and four others suffered serious injuries. Pipeman John F. Ryan of Engine 26 was successfully extricated from the debris, but he succumbed to his injuries on January 11. Pipeman Richard Dempsey of Squad 2 died from his injuries on November 3.

Stoll was survived by his widow and two daughters.

Kerr was interred at Oak Ridge Cemetery, and was survived by his widow, his mother, and four siblings.

Funeral services for Horan were held at St. Catherine’s Church on January 12, and he was interred at Mount Carmel Cemetery. He was survived by his widow, two children, and three brothers.

Funeral services for Ryan were held at Presentation Church on January 15, and he was survived by his widow and five siblings.

Funeral services for Dempsey were held at St. John Berchmans Church on November 5, and he was survived by his widow, two children, parents, and six siblings.

Citations:

“Theater Falls in Night Fire; 2 Firemen Die,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 9, 1918.

“Killed in Action: Four Chicago Firemen Who Lost Their Lives in Theater Fire,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 10, 1918.

“Officials Seek Cause of Fatal Theater Fire,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 10, 1918.

Obituary of James G. Kerr, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 10, 1918.

Obituary of Frederick Stoll, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 10, 1918.

Obituary of James G. Kerr, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 11, 1918.

Obituary of Peter J. Horan, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 11, 1918.

“John Ryan, Fifth Victim of Fire in Theater, Dies,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 12, 1918.

Obituary of James G. Kerr, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 13, 1918.

Obituary of John F. Ryan, Chicago Daily Tribune, January 14, 1918.

“Fireman Dies of Injuries Fighting Blaze in January,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 4, 1918.

Obituary of Richard F. Dempsey, Chicago Daily Tribune, November 4, 1918.