CFD Line of Duty Deaths
June 16, 1941 - LODDs
Fireman Henry Bodenlos, 42 - Engine Co. 4
Fireman George Michalski, 31 - Engine Co. 3
Fireman Norris Coulombe, 34 - Engine Co. 42
Chicago Fire Department. Chicago, IL
A fire broke out at the Chicago Mill and Lumber Company, a manufacturer of wooden boxes at 900 West Ogden Avenue. The fire started in bales of paper located on the first floor of the two story brick building. The shooting embers then ignited a fire on the second floor by sparking a mill dust explosion. With the rush from the blast, the flames spread quickly throughout the rest of the building and caused the roof to collapse. Three Chicago firefighters, Norris Coulombe (Engine 42), George Michalski (Engine 3), and Henry Bodenlos (Engine 4), were trapped by the collapse in the burning rubble.
A 5-11 alarm and subsequent special alarm calls had brought 45 pieces of fire apparatus and equipment to the scene on Ogden Avenue. Firefighters had just started hose operations when the roof collapsed, so the firefighter presence within the building was still somewhat limited. Unfortunately, the severity of the explosion prevented firefighters from rescuing their trapped colleagues, and the three trapped firefighters asphyxiated in the burning rubble. Five other firefighters were injured by the explosion.
Photo: Firefighters battling a fire at Chicago Mill and Lumber Company which claimed the lives of firefighters Henry Bodenlos, Norris Coulombe, and George Michalski.
RIP. Never forget.
