Chicago firefighter who died battling high rise fire was outdoorsman, Navy veteran
CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago firefighter who died while battling a high rise fire in the Gold Coast neighborhood on Wednesday had a passion for his family, the outdoors and serving others.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reported Wednesday evening on the life of the late Lt. Jan Tchoryk, 55, who dedicated the past 26 years of his life to the Chicago Fire Department.
The veteran fire lieutenant collapsed inside the 11th floor stairwell of the building.
"Pray for the families," said Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. "Pray for the firefighters and paramedics because they worked on their own co-workers. They are devastated. My command staff is devastated."
Nance-Holt said of Tchoryk, "he was an active outdoorsman. He was a motorcyclist. He was a Navy veteran. He served in Desert Storm."
Tchoryk joined the CFD in 1997.
That commitment to serving others would be passed down to Tchoryk's son Dylan, who recently graduated from the Chicago Police Academy. Mayor Lori Lightfoot was at the graduation ceremony and spoke about Tchoryk's extended family.
"As you might imagine, they are in shock and the grief is setting in. It's almost unimaginable," Lightfoot said. "Recently, I met his son at a recent police department graduation as he walked across the stage."
The mayor added: "Firemen, like police officers, run towards danger, when the rest of us run in the other direction. We can never forget that and we shouldn't forget the sacrifice that they make, every single day."
Twenty-four hours before the fire that killed Tchoryk, Chicago firefighter Jermaine Pelt also lost his life in the line of duty. The 18-year veteran died battling a fire on Wallace Street in West Pullman Tuesday morning.
"To be honest, when I heard it, I thought they were talking about yesterday's," said Hector Contreras. "We care about our first responders, and we love them dearly."
But the death of Lt. Tchoryk hit Contreras and his wife, Amelia Ramos, personally.
"Him, we knew very well," said Contreras.
Their son joined the Chicago Fire Department in the fall of 2022 – and these parents insisted that Lt. Tchoryk inspired him.
"All the firemen came to my son's graduation," said Ramos.
So when this mom and dad heard about a second fatal fire involving a CFD member, they were quick to reach out to their son.
"I text him and I said, 'Hi son, how you doing,'" Ramos said.
A long time passed before their son replied back with an image of his mentor.
"He sent me the lieutenant's picture," Ramos said, "and I said, 'May he rest in peace.'"
"First of all, any firefighter that dies, you're going to be upset - and if you know him, it makes it a little bit – hurts a little closer, and is closer to home," Contreras said. "He's upset, and we know it - but you know, it's part of the job."
It is a job the CFD and the crew at Engine 4/Tower Ladder 10 continue to do – despite losing two brothers in two days.
The pain is heavy, which is why Contreras and Ramos stopped by the firehouse at 548 W. Division St.
"Let them know that they're appreciated," said Contreras said.
Three other firefighters who battled the Gold Coast fire were transported to the hospital in fair to serious condition. One firefighter in serious condition was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge so he could be treated using a hyperbaric chamber because of the severity of his injuries.
Two civilians were also transported to a hospital in good condition.
CBS 2 was told Tchoryk's son was on duty at the White Sox game on Wednesday. He was met by members of the Fire Department who had to share the tragic news and picked him up to take him to the hospital where his father was taken.