Chicago firefighter injured in house blaze has died
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A longtime Chicago firefighter injured in a blaze on the city's Northwest Side more than two weeks ago has died, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
On Tuesday, those who knew and loved Lt. Kevin Ward, 59, gathered to say goodbye. CBS 2's Charlie De Mar spoke to them at the firehouse where he worked.
"Our sad duty to report Lieutenant Kevin Ward, injured in a house fire on Balmoral passed away at Loyola Medical Center," CFD wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "He was surrounded by family as he made his transition. He will be escorted from LMC to the medical examiner's office this morning. Joined in 1996, he was 59."
Our sad duty to report, CFD LT. Kevin Ward, injured in a house fire on Balmoral passed away at Loyola Medical Center. He was surrounded by family as he made his transition. He will be escorted from LMC to the medical examiner's office this morning. Joined in 1996, he was 59. pic.twitter.com/bNUATtzpn3
— Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) August 29, 2023
The fire on Aug. 11 led to a mayday call at the scene, in the 8300 block of West Balmoral Avenue near O'Hare International Airport. It was initially called in as a basement fire. Three firefighters were injured as a result.
Ward was taken to Loyola Medical Center by escort in serious but stable condition.
The other two firefighters have since been released from the hospital.
The fire department said Ward died peacefully and surrounded by family.
CBS 2 spoke to those who worked alongside Ward on truck No. 9, including firefighter Bob Arens. They were both stationed on the Northwest Side where bunting hung to honor the life of a decorated firefighter.
"It's going to be hard getting to the firehouse and not seeing Kevin," Arens said. "Kevin, we're going to miss you down here my friend. My brother, we've got it from here."
On Tuesday, Ward's body was taken in a procession from Loyola Medical Center to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Arens said he was there Tuesday to "pay my respects to a man I respected as a lieutenant and as a brother."
It's unclear what injuries Ward sustained while battling the fire. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office will determine his cause of death.
Ward joined the fire department in 1996.
He was the third Chicago firefighter to die in the line of duty this year.
"We have been to the morgue far too much this year," said Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. "We have lost a lot of members this year unfortunately."