Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | Charles Unrath |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 36 to 40 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 11/27/1931 |
| Cause of Death | Vehicle collision |
| Nature of Death | Trauma |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Ambulance operations , Emergency vehicle operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 11/26/1931 |
| Incident Location | Street/Road |
| Incident Attribute | Traffic accidents |
Incident Summary
On November 26, 1931, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Charles Unrath of Engine 12 and Ambulance 2 died in the line of duty following a vehicle collision at the intersection of Paulina Street and Warren Boulevard. Unrath was transporting four patients injured in an earlier traffic accident to County Hospital when his ambulance was struck by another vehicle. Witnesses said the ambulance’s siren was sounding a warning as it attempted to cross Warren Boulevard, but the driver of the other vehicle stated that he did not hear the siren in time to stop.
Unrath died the following day, November 27, at County Hospital.
Citations:
“1 Killed, 10 Hurt in Double Crash; Ambulance Hit,” Chicago Daily Tribune, November 27, 1931.
Firefighter and Incident Images
