At 6:23 AM on a bitter cold January 28, 1961 Chicago's Main Fire Alarm Office received a direct call from the CPD advising a factory on fire at Hubbard and Desplaines Streets, on the city's near North Side. A box alarm was quickly sounded after an additional call. 2-11 and 3-11 alarms were quickly called as the 7 story building became fully involved. By 6:43 AM the fire had escalated to a 5-11 plus 2 Special Alarms ( For 5 engines each). Battalion Chief George Kuhn and Candidate FF Robert Burns became trapped behind a barred window in the exposure building by a partial collapse of the original building. 1st. Division Fire Marshal John Meighan and 20 to 25 members went to the rear where Kuhn and Burns were trapped. At about 7:03 AM time ran out on rescuer and trapped alike as the building collapsed. 14 members were injured and the following were killed in the Line of Duty:
 
Chief George E. Kuhn-Battalion 5
Chief George Rees-Battalion 1
Lt. Louis Repkin-Truck 19
Lt. Charles Rauch-Engine 114
CFF Robert Burns-Squad 2
FF Hillard Augustine-Squad 10
FF William Hillistad-Engine 44
FF Ciro Zuccarello-Engine 26
FF Stanley Sliwinski-Engine 25

R.I.P.