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50th Anniversary: Our Lady of the Angels Fire
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Our Lady of the Angels Roman Catholic elementary school burned down on Chicago's northwest side on Dec. 1, 1958. (AP) |
Today is the 50th anniversary of the tragic fire at Our Lady of the Angels School on Chicago’s West Side. This dark spot in the city’s history took the lives of 92 children and three nuns and caused the rewrite of several local fire laws.
The first 911 call for the fire came 20 minutes or more after it started, shortly before the end of the school day. A housekeeper at the rectory called and gave her address but didn’t mention the school. As a result, firefighters responded with manpower and equipment for a house fire.
Joe Murray was among the first men to arrive at the school. He’d graduated from Our Lady of the Angels in 1942. Still familiar with many of the teachers and some of the families of the 1600 pupils, he recognized the address when the call came in. Murray’s now 80 years old but he remembers that December 1st, 1958 like it was yesterday. These are his memories, please keep in mind that some descriptions are graphic.
Chicago Fire Department Captain Joe Murray, the father of 11 children, retired in 1991 after 38 years of service. He spoke with John Conroy in his home on the northwest side of Chicago.
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pamela m. girga, milwaukee wi. // Monday, December 01, 2008 @ 6:26 PM
my mother is joseph murrays sister. i was five years old living in peoria il. my mother was absolutly heartbroken over the fire. my uncle joe never talked about the fire. may all who lost thier lives that be remembered in everyones prayers.
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lily, Xi'an China // Monday, December 01, 2008 @ 7:24 PM
it is in the morning. I'm sitting in my offce. I am shocked when reading the article aired by Chichago repunlic radio. I mouned for the dead children in the fire happened in the school and want to give my concern to the families that lost their beloved ones.
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John T. Wheeler, Florence, KY // Monday, December 01, 2008 @ 8:18 PM
My mother is Joe Murray's sister and also attended OLA. My father, grandfather, and two uncles were Chicago firemen on the west side of Chicago. I was five years old and lived not far from OLA. I came home from school to see my mother sobbing uncontrollably. This is a tragedy you never forget. Please pray for everyone involved with the tragedy.
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Lorene Connelly/Ellyson, Jackson California // Monday, December 01, 2008 @ 11:38 PM
My mother was another sister of Joe Murray. I also remember Uncle Joe would never talk about that fire,those firemen were true heroes.I don't believe he mentioned that he knew many of the children who were burned or died in that fire and spent years living amongst their families afterwords. My mother as well as two of her sisters were nurses at St.Ann's hospital in Chicago,I remember the firemen and nurses in the family used to share their workday stories,but this fire was one that was never talked about,I suspect it was one that was just too painful to relive. God bless the families that lost children in that fire and God bless the firemen who risked their lives to save them and spent the rest of their lives regretting and remembering what they couldn't do.
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Michelle K.Hahn/Jacobs, Norridge,Il // Tuesday, December 02, 2008 @ 4:03 AM
My Uncle Tommy was a student at OLOA before the fire.I was born,along with my 2 sisters at St.Annes Hospital in 1955.I learned of the fire when a small boutique opened in our neighborhood on Cumberland Ave.The owner had aweful scars on her face & when I asked my friend,who worked there.She told me,whispering,she was in that fire at OLOA.That was in the early seventies.Not until 1997-98 when I read a book called To Sleep with the Angels.Did I realize the horror for those families.Reading that book changed my life.I still can't understand how those poor young moms & dads lived beyond it.I recently lost my son & I honestly felt gratitude when I found him.I recognized him.I pray for those children & remember them each time I drive down Roosevelt Road.May God continue to give us understanding.
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Phil Wheeler, McHenry, IL // Tuesday, December 02, 2008 @ 1:25 PM
I was in 2nd grade and came home from school with my brother John to find mom crying. It was the first time I'd ever seen her cry, so I knew something pretty bad had happened. In addition to having graduated from OLA, mom was now a nurse at St. Annes and had to take care of many of the survivors. If you get a chance, watch "Angels Too Soon" a PBS documentary which goes much more in depth about the tragedy.
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Jayne Murray // Tuesday, December 02, 2008 @ 11:28 PM
Joe Murray is my father,I am one of his six daughters and five sons,Little Joe passed away in 1957. I was born in 1953 and did not here much of anything about the fire for years after it happened.My dad did not talk about it and I did not here anyone else talk about it, but I do remember my mom telling us about a school fire that children were jumping out windows and the firemen could not catch them all, and she did say my dad was there and it was a terrible thing that happened. My prayers also for the children, the nuns and the families, and also the firemen who were there, desperately trying to save thier lives
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Wendy Randazzo, Chicago // Saturday, December 06, 2008 @ 9:55 PM
My grandfather was there dropping off my father and aunt to go to school but they were running late. He ran to help the children that were jumping from windows. I later dated Joe Murray's grandson, the love of my life, for five years, never knowing that our grandfathers were side by side in this tragedy. That my father was there with his grandfather. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. We found out about our grandfathers after a PBS released a documentary on it and Joe Murray was in it. My heart is still with the Murray family. Joe Murray and his wife were and still are wonderful and kind human beings. An honor to know.
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Bob Randazzo // Saturday, December 06, 2008 @ 10:10 PM
We had just moved to that neighborhood and I was suppose to start school there the next day .I remember my father and uncle running there to the school to help and the dark skies from all the smoke,
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Charlene Murray, Arlington Heights // Sunday, December 07, 2008 @ 3:06 PM
I am 'one' of Joe Murray's daughter's (daughter #5). Hearing my Father talk of the fire on the radio was very hard for me. I was not even born at the time. I don't believe I was even aware of the fire and my Dad's involvement until I was in my later teen years. The one thing that sticks in my mind is the first time my Mom told me about Dad's nightmares. Many times Dad would wake up sweating. He never talked about it with my Mom but it was obvious that she felt his pain. The only thing Dad ever told me about the fire was that there were many firemen who had children in that school or knew the children. That had to be the hardest thing in the world. I am just so relieved that he has finally talked about this. It has taken 50 years for him to finally speak if it. My Father is most definately a man to be PROUD of. I don't know how he could have kept this inside for so many years. I am so thankful that he has finally shared with his children and family. Believe it or not, this interview was the first time his children have heard him speak of it. Dad visits the Memorial every time he goes to see my Mother at the cemetary.
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