CHICAGO — A Chicago firefighter who was critically injured while battling a fire on the city’s Far North Side on Monday has died, officials have confirmed.
Sources confirmed to WGN-TV that the injured firefighter died on Tuesday.
Officials said the fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. Monday in the 1700 block of West North Shore Avenue in Rogers Park.
Crews were on the scene in just three minutes, but by that point, two floors of the building were already engulfed in flames.
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While battling the flames, the firefighter was injured when the floor beneath him collapsed.
Crews were able to stamp out the blaze by 1:15 p.m., though it is still unclear what sparked the fire.
Officials later identified the fallen firefighter as 32-year-old Michael Altman, who had served with the department for nearly two years.
32-year-old Michael Altman
“Michael gave everything in service to the people of Chicago, and we will never forget his courage and sacrifice. Our deepest condolences go out to the Altman family, fellow firefighters, friends and all that knew him and loved him,” a CFD spokesperson said during a news conference on Monday afternoon.
Officials said Altman came from a longstanding firefighting family. His grandfather was a high-ranking member on the job and his father was a deputy district chief.
According to The Yard Foundation, a fundraiser for firefighters, Altman leaves behind a wife and a young child — with another baby on the way.
To help support his family during this time, donate here.
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