Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Edward Stringer |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 46 to 50 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 4/26/1963 |
| Date of Death | 12/22/2010 |
| Cause of Death | Struck by object |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations , Search and rescue operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 12/22/2010 |
| Incident Location | Vacant property |
| Incident Attribute | Structural collapses , Fires , Truss roof collapses |
Incident Summary
On December 22, 2010, Chicago Fire Department Firefighters Edward J. Stringer, Sr., of Engine 63 and Corey D. Ankum of Tower Ladder 34 died in the line of duty while fighting a 3-11 alarm fire in a vacant dry cleaning property on E. 75th Street.
Firefighters were searching the one-story brick building for homeless occupants when the truss roof collapsed, and Stringer and Ankum were among four firefighters buried in the debris. After they were pulled from the wreckage, Stringer was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Ankum was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, but both firefighters succumbed to fatal injuries. Seventeen other firefighters were injured in the collapse.
Investigators later determined that the fire originated from an open-flame wood or trash fire that may have been started by a homeless person trying to stay warm. The building, which had been vacant for five years, had a history of code violations, including a 2007 citation for the defective truss roof that later collapsed.
Funeral services for Stringer were held at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel on December 28, and he was interred at Beverly Cemetery in Blue Island. A member of the department for twelve years, Stringer was survived by his two children.
Funeral services for Ankum were held at Apostolic Church of God on December 30, and he was interred at Lincoln Cemetery in Alsip. A member of the department for eighteen months, and previously a member of the Chicago Police Department for three years, Ankum was survived by his widow and three children.
Citations:
“‘Mayday. Mayday…We’ve got guys trapped,’” Chicago Tribune, December 23, 2010.
“Fatal fire: Building owner told to fix roof in 2007,” Chicago Tribune, December 23, 2010.
Frank Main, “Blaze that killed two firefighters blamed on trash fire,” Chicago Sun-Times, December 25, 2010.
Kim Janssen and Cheryl V. Jackson, “Fallen firefighter remembered for bravery, sense of humor,” Chicago Sun-Times, December 28, 2010.
Stefano Esposito, “Thousands salute 2nd fallen firefighter,” Chicago Sun-Times, December 30, 2010.
Firefighter and Incident Images
.jpg)
