Fire in West Pullman claims life of Chicago firefighter, leaves two others injured
Firefighter Jermaine Pelt, who had been with the Chicago Fire Department since 2005, lost his life while battling the multi-alarm blaze.
WEST PULLMAN, CHICAGO - Tragedy struck in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood on Tuesday morning when a house fire turned deadly for one firefighter and left two others injured, according to authorities.
Firefighter Jermaine Pelt, who had been with the Chicago Fire Department since 2005, lost his life while battling the multi-alarm blaze. Pelt had just celebrated his 49th birthday in March and leaves behind two children, a 6-year-old and an adult daughter who was told of her father's death while on her honeymoon.
Firefighters arrived on the 12000 block of South Wallace Street around 3:15 a.m. and Pelt was working a hose line when the conditions worsened. All firefighters were ordered out of the building.
According to the commissioner, Pelt "went down as crews were being ordered out of the building." Paramedics and firefighters attempted to revive Pelt as he was being transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating Pelt's death, and the circumstances remain unknown at this time.
The fire is believed to have started in the attic of a home and spread to two adjacent homes, displacing two adults and two children.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot released a statement expressing her condolences and sympathies for Pelt's family, colleagues, and the residents of Chicago. She praised Pelt's selfless act of bravery and dedication to the city, stating that "it takes a special form of bravery to work as a first responder."
Two other firefighters were also injured in the incident and were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where they were in stable condition.
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