CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Fire Department is in mourning after two firefighters died in the line of duty just one day apart.
Lt. Jan Tchoryk, 55, died after responding to a high-rise fire on the Gold Coast near Lake Shore Drive early Wednesday.
Fire officials said Tchoyrk collapsed on the 11th floor while climbing the stairs to the 27th floor where the fire raged in a unit.
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He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Tchoyrk lived a life of service, including in the Navy, where he served overseas in Desert Storm before joining the CFD in 1997.
Tchoryk had been working since 1997. Just hours before his death, he was sitting in the passenger seat of Ladder 10, among the first people to respond to the fire. Then led the procession from the hospital to the medical examiner's office.
“I got a text from a friend saying we have another mayday,” said colleague and friend, CFD Captain Rich Savoia. “It's just a sinking, squeezing feeling in your gut.”
A moment of silence was held Wednesday night ahead of the annual Valor Awards in Chicago for the two fallen firefighters.
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“I also want to take a moment to thank our brothers and sisters from the Chicago Fire Department as they grieve for the tremendous loss of the past two days,” said Chicago Interim Police Superintendent Eric Carter. “In just two days, they lost two firefighters as both of them fought to protect this city and its residents until their last moments.”
On Tuesday, 49-year-old firefighter Jermaine Pelt died trying to extinguish an additional alarm fire in the West Pullman neighborhood. Pelt served in the department for 18 years.
There are now two firefighters in Chicago with black and purple flags displayed in memory of these fallen firefighters.
Three other firefighters were injured in the high-rise blaze, CFD officials said, and were in fairly serious condition. Two other people were also injured.
Funeral arrangements for the firefighters have not been released.