Firefighter Record
Firefighter Details
| Name | James Hill |
| Agency | Chicago Fire Department |
| Rank | Firefighter |
| Type of Firefighter | Career |
| Age Range | 41 to 45 |
| Sex | Male |
| Date of Birth | 0/0/0 |
| Date of Death | 7/4/1987 |
| Cause of Death | Contact/Exposure |
| Nature of Death | Burns |
| Attribute of Death | [not applicable] |
| Type of Duty | Firefighting operations , Hose operations |
Incident Details
| Incident Name | N/A |
| Incident City | Chicago |
| Incident State | IL |
| Incident Date | 7/4/1987 10:13 |
| Incident Location | Residential |
| Incident Attribute | Flashovers , Attic fires , Fires |
Incident Summary
On July 4, 1987, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter James Hill of Engine 49 died in the line of duty during a late-night still alarm on Chicago’s south side. A fire had been started in the attic of a two-and-one-half story building when a bottle rocket was set off from an attic window by someone launching fireworks in celebration of Independence Day. When Hill and two other firefighters entered the smoke-filled attic to extinguish the flames, built up gases ignited in a flashover. All three firefighters were taken to area hospitals with burns and smoke inhalation injuries, and Hill was pronounced dead at Cook County Hospital.
Citations:
Cheryl Devall, “Holiday Blaze Kills Firefighter,” Chicago Tribune, July 6, 1987.
Cheryl Devall, “Rocket Starts Blaze that Kills Firefighter,” Chicago Tribune, July 6, 1987.
“Memorial Service Set for Fireman James Hill,” Chicago Tribune, July 7, 1987.
Jacquelyn Heard, “Buddies Pay Tribute to Fireman,” Chicago Tribune, July 10, 1987.
Firefighter and Incident Images
