On April 4, 1949, flames roared through the halls of the old St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham, Illinois, killing 74 people.
There were many acts of heroism on the part of the hospital staff.
Nurse Fern Riley, 22, was on duty in the hospital nursery. "My babies! I've got to stay with my babies!" she shouted. Fern died along with 12 newborns.
According to Wikipedia:
``The 100-bed hospital was constructed mainly out of wood and brick. Parts of the building dated back to 1876. By 1949 the facility was completely outdated.
``It contained open corridors and staircases. Many walls and ceilings were covered with oilcloth fabrics and combustible soundproof tiles. The building lacked sprinklers as well as fire detection and alarm systems.''
The United Press reported: ``The flames leaped upward and turned the haven of mercy into a blazing death trap before bedridden patients on the upper floors could make their escape.''
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| Fire Hero: Fern Riley's grave in March 2019 |
It was shortly before midnight when, according to the Journal of the National Fire Protection Association, a nun rang the hospital's telephone operator to report a fire in the basement.
The operator phoned hospital engineer Frank Ries at home and alerted the Effingham Fire Department.
Ries hurried to the hospital and trained a fire extinguisher on a laundry chute. His assault failed and he died in the blaze.
Flames were roaring through the roof by the time the first Effingham firefighters arrived and they focused their efforts on rescue.
Twenty minutes later, crews finally got water on the blaze.
Of the dead, 20 were hospital staffers who gave their lives to save others.
The apparatus answering the alarm that night consisted of Effingham's meager force of three engines along with five rigs from neighboring fire departments.
The operator phoned hospital engineer Frank Ries at home and alerted the Effingham Fire Department.
Ries hurried to the hospital and trained a fire extinguisher on a laundry chute. His assault failed and he died in the blaze.
Flames were roaring through the roof by the time the first Effingham firefighters arrived and they focused their efforts on rescue.
Twenty minutes later, crews finally got water on the blaze.
Of the dead, 20 were hospital staffers who gave their lives to save others.
The apparatus answering the alarm that night consisted of Effingham's meager force of three engines along with five rigs from neighboring fire departments.
