This from Steve Redick:
I came across some photos in my collection recently. They may have been taken by Jack Connors, not sure who I got them from. This was a 5-11 and 1 special at 1748 N Ashland on July 6, 1970. The next day, Snorkel 7 was operating on the ruins when a wall collapse occurred and struck the basket. Jack Walsh was killed. They later made this into a park but if fell into disrepair so the memorial marker was moved to engine 55’s house where it is now well cared for. These photos show the extent of the damage to the rig and gives us an idea what a horrible tragedy this was.
Who is the “big buggy” standing next to Quinn and the very 70’s TV Reporter?
photographer unknown
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#1 by M Doocy on April 11, 2016 - 8:36 PM
I spent many years at Truck 44’s house as a kid. I remember the memorial being place outside the station. My father was on this call and was a member of T44, and drove T44 through the 70’s. It was never talked about in the company of strangers. It was always a mystery to myself and I never saw a single photo of that incident. This was the day my mother chose to visit the station for the first time. She never return.
#2 by Bill Post on August 23, 2014 - 11:30 PM
When you ask who the “Big Buggy” who is standing next to Fire Commissioner Robert J Quinn , I assume that you mean the Fire Chief , who I think is a photo of The late Chief Fire Marshall (215) Curtis Volkamer. I could be wrong however as it is not the greatest angle of the Chief but on the other hand is a very good shot of Fire Commissioner Quinn and the reporter.
Those shots are good shots. I had attended the fire on the day before the building collapse and I have memories of old Snorkel 7 but not of the collapse.
#3 by Turk_WLF on August 23, 2014 - 10:18 AM
Steve, Thank you for posting these pictures, I have heard Stories of the Snorkel 7 being Destruction & the loss of Firefighter Jack Walsh since I have been joined & enjoying the site. The evidence in the pictures showed something far different than from what I have envisioned.