According to reports, a Chicago firefighter lost his life on Monday while putting out a fire at a building in the city’s Lincoln Park district.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, and NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV, 39-year-old Andrew “Drew” Pice passed away from the injuries he received after falling through a light shaft of the burning building.
According to Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Commissioner Nance-Holt, who spoke to the Sun-Times about the fatal event, Price was on the roof on Monday morning when he opened up holes for ventilation and fell, landing on the basement floor.
Price was found and freed by his fellow firemen after a mayday call. After that, he was brought to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he passed away from serious injuries.
On X (formerly known as Twitter) the CFD also verified the news by sharing the message “On behalf of the Fire Commisioner [sic], it is my sad duty to report the passing of our member injured this morning at 2430 Lincoln.”
In addition, they stated that Price, an EMT and fireman, began working for the agency in March 2009. “In 2015, he was assigned to Truck 44. He would have been 40 years old come January,” they posted, adding, “We all knew him as Drew.”
On behalf of the Chicago Fire Department thank you all for extending your condolences for our fallen member. Please keep the family in your prayers and thoughts. pic.twitter.com/9SHQob9wks
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 14, 2023
CFD spokesman Larry Langford said it’s too early to determine what started the fire, according to the AP. The four-story damaged building housed the Lincoln Station bar and diner on the main floor and twelve apartments on the upper floors, according to WLS-TV.
In an interview with WMAQ-TV, Lincoln Station’s owner Benn Hamm described Price’s passing as “absolutely devastating.” He continued, “My brother’s a fireman. It’s not taken lightly. It’s honestly what matters to me the most right now.”
The Cook County Morgue sent Price’s remains to the Drake & Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, and CFD escorted the coffin.
“On behalf of the Chicago Fire Department thank you all for extending your condolences for our fallen member,” the department added. “Please keep the family in your prayers and thoughts.”