Chronology Shows Speed of Disaster |
CHICAGO, Dec. 2 - (AP) - Chronology of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic school fire. |
2:42 p.m. (CST) - “Still alarm” filed. (Such an alarm is the first response to any fire, calling for an engine, hook-and-ladder, a squad of men and a chief.” |
2:44 - First firemen to arrive sound “box” alarm. (This is the first alarm filed by firemen asking for extra help. Sends additional hook-and-adder, three engines, second chief.” |
2:47 - Firemen sound the “2-11,” the first in a series of “extra” alarm calling for still more help. |
2:50 to 3:30 - Firemen try to bring as many children as possible down ladders but are hampered by thick smoke. Other children jump, many missing nets. Firemen attempt to rip open roof to give mushrooming flames chance to escape. |
2:52 - Without filing the usual intermediate alarms, firemen put in a “5-11,” the top call. |
3:30 - Firemen begin bringing down blanket-encased bodies. |
3:45 - An increasingly fearful Msgr. William J. Gorman, Fire Department chaplain, now says there “may be up to 25 dead.” Parents begin pouring to the school, screaming their children's names in hope of getting response from milling survivors. |
4 p.m. - The fire is officially termed “struck out.” (This means “completely under control.”.) |
7 p.m. - Firemen say they believe last of the bodies has been recovered. |