This week's hero is...
Charles Kamin Sr
Lt. Charles Kamin was a fireman from Chicago. He was born in the year 1920. Later in his life, Kamin joined the Chicago Fire Department and was put in charge of Truck 35. Kamin's leadership and skills as a fireman would be put to the ultimate test during one of the biggest tragedies in the history of the United States.
December 1st, 1958 was a day that began like any other for the people of Chicago. However, the day soon turned into a nightmare when a fire broke in the, Our Lady of the Angels elementary and middle school (its cause in unknown). The fire began in the basement of the north wing of the school around 2:00 PM. It then smoldered undetected for nearly 20 minutes. The students and teachers did not notice it until they saw black smoke in the hallways that later entered the classrooms. Soon, the entire north wing of the school was either on fire or filled with thick black smoke. Those on the first floor mostly succeeded in escaping. But for the students and teachers who were on the second floor, there was no exit. They became trapped in their classrooms by the thick billowing smoke and burning flames. For them, the only way out was through the windows. This caused many to jump or fall from the windows in panic. Some of these students survived, others did not.
Within four minuets of receiving phone calls about the burning school, hundreds of firefighters descended on the scene and began to try to rescue the trapped students and teachers. Lt. Kamin was one of them. After seeing a number of kids trapped in a smoking class room on the second floor, he quickly placed a latter at the window (room 211) and climbed up to it. Once he was there, Kamin began to pull kids out of the classroom, around his back, and place them on the ladder to climb down. He was described by his fellow fireman as, "operating like a robot". He managed to personally pull at least 8 children from the smoking classroom and place them on the ladder. However, as he was reaching for another child, the room suddenly erupted in flames incinerating all who were still inside. Kamin himself was thrown from the ladder and received minor burns on his arms and face. Tragically, at total of 92 students and 3 teachers died in the fire at the Our Lady of the Angels School. It is one of the worst school fires in American history.
Despite successfully rescuing at least 160 students and teachers, many fireman were deeply traumatized by the deaths of so many kids. Lt. Charles Kamin was no exception. Although he recovered from his injuries and was hailed as a hero by the people of Chicago (including many survivors), Kamin was forever haunted by the screams of the children who died. He suffered terrible nightmares and often blamed himself for not being able to save more. Kamin would serve in the Chicago fire department for 30 years before retiring in 1977. He later died in a car accident in November 1992. He was 72 years old.
The fire at the Our Lady of the Angels School was by far one of the most tragic and heartbreaking disasters in American history. However, the actions of people like Lt Charles Kamin prevented many more lives from being lost in the fire. Kamin was good man who did the best he could when he was needed. I believe that he should be seen as one of America's greatest heroes.
Further Information:
http://www.olafire.com/Saved%20by%20a%20brawny%20angel.asp
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-19/news/9204150711_1_kamin-chicago-fire-department-firehouse
http://www.olafire.com/OLAHeroes.asp
David Cowan and John Kuenster, To Sleep with the Angels: The Story of a Fire (1996)
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