Chicago Fire Department history – Five Chicago Firefighters Die at Reliance Hotel Fire, 12-17-53

From the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation:

On a freezing morning in Chicago, just after 2:30 a.m. on December 17, 1953, firefighters were called to a fire at the Reliance Hotel, located at 1702 West Madison Street. Upon arrival, they found the three-story building fully engulfed in flames. The fire quickly escalated to three alarms, with over 100 firefighters rushing to the scene.

The hotel, which was undergoing renovations but still open for business, had a manager who woke up to the smell of smoke and immediately alerted guests. Around the same time, a police patrol also reported the fire. A total of 75 people were rescued, with only one person— a 45-year-old resident— failing to escape unharmed. It is believed that he intentionally set the fire. Authorities later found a note in his pocket confessing to multiple crimes, including starting fires in 12 other apartment buildings.

As firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze, the front of the building suddenly collapsed around 3:49 a.m. Those on the roof managed to jump or slide down safely, with one firefighter comparing it to "sliding down a chute." However, those inside the structure were not as fortunate— dozens of firefighters went missing following the collapse.

Despite the icy conditions, firefighters spent six hours digging through the wreckage with their bare hands and tools, while others continued fighting the fire. By 4:30 a.m., the fire was finally under control.

Once the flames were subdued, rescue efforts shifted to finding trapped firefighters. In the freezing temperatures, crews worked carefully to avoid a secondary collapse. The Chicago Daily News reported that “at the height of the rescue work, all of the city’s police and fire resuscitators were at the wreckage to revive firemen as they were rescued.” The Salvation Army and Red Cross provided food, warm drinks, and shelter to both victims and rescuers.

The first firefighter found was Robert Jordan from Truck Company 2, who had died. His wife, Edyth, arrived at the scene clutching a newspaper photo of him at another fire. Initially told her husband was injured, she went to the hospital expecting to see him alive—but was instead informed of his tragic death.

Later that day, firefighters recovered the bodies of George Malik and John Jarose, both from Engine Company 31.

One firefighter, Ray Nowicki, was trapped in a small space beneath the rubble. As rescuers worked to free him, he remained calm, saying, “I’m fine—just take it easy.” Meanwhile, firefighters held Dr. Joseph Campbell upside down so he could give Nowicki an injection. Another firefighter, Dr. Herman Bundesen, crawled into the debris to administer morphine to John Measner, while others passed bricks by hand to help free him.

Lieutenant Theodore Patronski and nine of his fellow firefighters were trapped in a ten-foot square hole. They shouted for help for hours, but no one heard them until rescuers spotted Patronski's leg sticking out of the rubble.

The search continued for Captain Nicholas Schmidt of Engine Company 107 and Firefighter Robert Schaack of Truck 19. Lillian Schmidt and her two daughters prayed at home with rosaries, hoping for their father's safe return. Their sons waited anxiously at the scene. Eventually, a crane was brought in to clear the debris, and the bodies of Schmidt and Schaack were discovered.

Thanks, Drew.

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