December 22, 2010 -- The IAFF regrets to inform our membership that two members of Chicago Local 2 were killed this morning when a wall collapsed during a fire at an abandoned commercial building on the south side of Chicago.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office at 10 A.M. confirmed the deaths of Fire Fighter Edward Stringer, 47, and Fire Fighter/EMT Corey Ankum, 34.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragedy. At a time when families are coming together to celebrate the holidays, it is horrible that this heartbreaking disaster is ripping families apart,” General President Harold Schaitberger says.
Fire fighters searched through rubble for more than an hour as trapped fire fighters were pulled out. In addition to the two fatalities, four fire fighters are reported to be in serious to critical condition, and 10 more fire fighters suffered undisclosed injuries.
President Schaitberger has spoken with Local 2 President Tom Ryan, who has been at the fire scene and the hospitals.
