This from Steve Redick:

Another famous and tragic incident. A gasoline tanker leaked and caught fire in the alley at 801 W. 49th Place, Mickelberry Food Products, resulting in a tremendous explosion killing four members and several civilians. My dad was on SS3 and responded. He told me of wading through waist deep water, covered in gasoline in the basement, shutting off utilities as ordered. He often said they were lucky no one was hurt during this operation and they never should have been down there in the first place. This was well after the explosion. They didn’t arrive until later in the fire. The audio can be heard HERE.
Steve

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Warren Redick collection

Tags: CAPTAIN JOHN J. FISCHER (BADGE # 1268) OF TRUCK CO. 18 BUILDING EXPLOSION 50TH & HALSTED MICKELBERRY FIRE, Chicago FD Captain John Fischer, Chicago Fire Department history, Chicago Firefighter Charles Bottger, Chicago Firefighter Edward Leifker, Chicago Firefighter Thomas Collins, FIREMAN CHARLES D. BOTTGER (BADGE # 163) OF TRUCK CO. 18 BUILDING EXPLOSION 50TH & HALSTED MICKELBERRY FIRE, FIREMAN EDWARD LEIFKER (BADGE # 1350) OF TRUCK CO. 18 BUILDING EXPLOSION 50TH & HALSTED MICKELBERRY FIRE, Mickelberry Food Products fire in Chicago 1968, Mickelberry Sausage Factory fire