OLAFire Logo
Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958
nUserID=0

Personal Experiences with Our Lady of the Angels School Fire

If you have a personal experience, recollection or opinion about the December 1, 1958 Our Lady of the Angels school fire, whether you were present at the fire or not, you can relate it here. Any story or information is welcome as long as it relates to Our Lady of the Angels school fire.
Click here to add your OLA fire experience.        

Posted by: RoseMary On: 5/13/2007 ID: 326
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Chicago - Chicago Ridge Area
At the time of the fire I attended a public school on the far southwest side of Chicago. There were many new homes built in this area and many young families with children born between 1944 and maybe 1949. These student were called "Baby Boomers" and there were so many children in my age group new to the school that by the fourth or fifth grade we had to be split into four hour shifts for school. I recall going to school either in the morning or the afternoon shift for most of my grammer school years.
The afternoon of the Our Lady of the Angles Fire I was home alone, after school - a neighbor checking on me regularly (as my Mother worked). The news report broke in to the TV station I was watching with live coverage from OLA. I remember the news man outside locked gates talking about and showing fire equipment locked outside the gates. He was very upset and said they had to wait for someone to bring the key. The cameras focused on fire equipment and some people crying and pushing or pulling on the gate and children in the school yard running and other children jumping out of windows, some of them already on fire.
I remember shouting at the TV for them to "DRIVE THE TRUCK THROUGH THE GATE" to break it down and help those kids. "CLIMB THE GATE!, "BREAK IT DOWN!", "DO SOMETHING!", "HELP THEM!" (This might have been the first day I swore.) I must have been in about 6th or 7th grade myself and could not believe what I saw as the incredible stupidity of the adults I was watching. I must have been totally traumatized by what I was seeing because when the neighbor came to check on me, the fire fighters had gotten into the school yard and the cameras stopped showing children on fire and jumping out of windows and falling to the ground.
She had not had her TV on so she did not see what I had seen and she tried to tell me that it would be alright because the firemen would help them, but I knew it wasn't alright and the firemen didn't help them soon enough.
I don't remember much of the rest of the time until my Mom got home about 4:00. But I felt like I could not tell her what I saw or make her understand what was happening. But it turned out the my Aunt lived near the school and knew several of the families that suffer loss on that day.
I will be 63 years old this year and the memories of that fire have been and will be with me forever. It was many,many years after the fire that my Mother and I had a long conversation about that day. I finally got that she understood and could listen to what I saw (she herself had been badly burned in a fire as a child). And we both cried.
In reading some of the rememberances of other people on this web site I will conclude with this thought:
Contrary to opinion and experiences of some, that no children were told to remain in their seats and pray for help to arrive - according to first hand reports from some of the children involved, and news reports in the papers and on TV (that I have heard and seen) I believe, sadly, that it did happen in some classrooms and to deny it is a further injury to those who survived.
It became very obvious to me that day that adults with "authority" may not always have the best ideas.
I am very greatful that I found this site and greatful that so many remember. Thanks for allowing me to contribute.


Posted by: Bob Spidale On: 5/7/2007 ID: 325
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes Yes No 5 K am Kinder. don't know
My name is Bob Spidale. I just discovered this terrific web site after overhearing by accident two strangers discuss the OLA fire and joining their conversation. I found that we had mutual acquaintances. I did a Google search on 'Our Lady of the Angels' and found it.

I was 5 years old and in kindergarten at the time of the fire. The fire was in the afternoon, but I was in the morning class. I also remember that kindergarten and first grade were in a separate building from the main school. I was already home from school when the fire started. I do remember my mother getting frantic phone calls from friends and relatives to find out if I was OK.

I remember going to Cameron public school for first grade where the nuns taught us until the new school could be built. I went to the new school for second grade only. Our family moved to the northwest side after second grade.

I lived at 846 N. Trumbull.

To Janice (Pomilia) Pellettiere:

I read your message board post.I was a neighbor of yours. I remember that you lived on the corner of Trumbull and Iowa. I lived about 4 doors south of you on the same side of the street on Trumbull Avenue.

I'm sorry that I don't remember you but I do remember your brother George. We called him 'Big George' to distinguish him from 'Little George' (I think Little George's last name was Michals) who lived next door to me (south).

I have fond memories of playing 'fast pitching' on the side of your house with 'Big George' and his 'cool' friends. They were 'cool' because I was a little guy and they were older than me. I remember soft ball games in the street on the corner in front of your house, too.

I remember Valerie Thoma, too. I was a friend of her younger brother, Mike, and my brother, Jerry, was a friend of her older brother, Billy. Funny what you remember, but I remember that Mrs. Thoma made the best pancakes that I ever tasted.

I'm not sure if George remembers me, but please say hi for me.


Posted by: DaddyMcFunk On: 5/5/2007 ID: 324
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
My grandma, 92, was telling me today about how her father, my deceased great grandfather, witnessed children in body bags at the scene of the fire. He used to pass the school walking to and from work. He came home and cried, and that made a lasting impression on my grandma. In the days and weeks subsequent to the tragedy, he passed by the school and saw children with scars from burns on their faces and took them to buy candy because he wanted to give them something pleasant to remember. He took kids to the local candy store, and told them to get whatever they wanted up to ten cents each. I understand that was a lot of money in those days, and my great grandfather, a metalsmith, did not have a lot of money. But he was so moved by the tragedy, that I think he wanted to do something.

God Bless.


Posted by: Sarah Israel On: 4/21/2007 ID: 323
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Northide of Chicago
I remember my parents hugging me tighter than they ever had before. My mother worked with a Catholic woman who could not understand why everyone was so upset by the deaths of all the children. She said these children died before they could sin and therefore went to heaven. I did not understand that way of thinking, and now, that I am a Catholic, I still don't understand it. I have two children and I do not know how I could get through it if either if them died, no matter how. I can remember the Chicago Sun-Times and all the stories they pirinted. I could not understand why the gate to the school was locked. I will always remember the fire and all the dead children. This comes back to haunt me every now and then. i would like to thank the webmasters for creating this site.


Posted by: Trish On: 4/2/2007 ID: 322
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
This terrible tragedy happened before I was born; but my Father
Richard Ryan Sr.( a Chicago Fireman) fought that devestating fire!
My father lived through many dangerous situations in his life, including
WWII; but the recollections he had of that day stayed with him the rest
of his life. He was a wonderful father and loved all children dearly and
never recovered from what he had to bring himself to do that day. I am the youngest of eight children in our family...and every single one of us knows the story of the loss that was suffered. I pray that we will never
have to experience anything like that again! My prayers and love go out
to all who were touched by this tragedy and to all the brave fire fighters
who continue to face danger every day to save lives. Thank You for having
this forum to share with others.


Posted by: Anonymous On: 3/31/2007 ID: 321
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
Even though I was not born until 1960, I grew up hearing about this tragic event. The fire occurred on my brothers second birthday, and my sister was five years old. I attended a suburban catholic school and occasionally remember hearing the story of OLA. It wasn't until 1991 when I discovered the book "To Sleep With the Angels" and immediately read it. The book was so compelling that I became somewhat obsessed with the tragedy.

To all those who were involved with Our Lady of the Angels I want you to know how important you all are. Mostly, you must know you or that day will never be forgotten. My daughters have been participants in the History Fair at the city, state, and national level. Every year countless groups from across the city, state, and nation choose OLA as their topic for History Fair. I believe this to be an amazing tribute to you all.

On March 22, 2007. three sixth grade students, my colleague and I had the honor of interviewing Mr. Raymond about the events of December 1, 1958 for this years History Fair. Mr.Raymond is an extrodinary man, whom I will never forget. The grace he exuded in telling his story goes beyond words, he was forthcoming, tender, thoughtful, and giving. Above all Mr. Raymond taught us an important life lesson, which is to cherish and extend ourselves to all those around us.

Mr. Raymond it was my honor to meet you and I promise to try my best to live up to your words.

Thanks to the entire Our Lady of the Angels Community for making a difference.

Lauren


Posted by: Mary On: 3/30/2007 ID: 320
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Chicago, LeClaire + Iowa
I was 4 years old and not in school. Mu older sister and brother were attending Our Lady Help of Christians School, a little bit west of OLA. I recall the day as being being overcast and gloomy. I heard many, many sirens. Mother answered the phone, and she was very upsat and weeping. She took me by the hand and we went into my parents room, knelt down next to the bed and began saying Hail Marys. She was holding me close and cyring as we prayed. I was too young to understand, other than associating the sound of the sirens with her distress. My siblings returned home from school shortly after that. Sometime later I recall attending a memorial service or Mass in HOC church. Every pew was filled to capacity. Many people were weeping. For years afterward, 'the OLA fire' was referred to in whispered tones.


Posted by: Tim Hermesdorf On: 3/22/2007 ID: 319
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before 1929 N. Ridgeway
I was born on 4/22/57 and therefore I am too young to have any direct recollection of the fire. Attending Maternity BVM on North Av. and Lawndale, we were frequently reminded of the tragedy, especially during fire drills. BVM's main school was a bigger fire trap than OLA with the Church on the first floor, the parish hall/chapel in the basement and classrooms on floors three and four. Luckily, because of OLA, sprinklers, fire alarms, heat detectors and fire doors were installed before another school fire occurred. At the time of the fire my father was assigned to Hook and Ladder 46 of the Chicago Fire Department. As far as I knew he was off duty the day of the fire. Years after he died I read "To Sleep With The Angels". I asked my sister, who is ten years older, what she remembered. She shared her thoughts and then said "you know about dad?' I just said I had been told he was off duty. She then told me that the day of the fire he stopped home about 4pm (he was working a side job) and told my mother he was going to OLA to help out. He returned that night aroun 8pm, went into the bedroom, closed the door and didn't come out until the next morning. He never spoke of that night again.


Posted by: Kathie Ciarametaro On: 3/20/2007 ID: 318
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Watertown, MA
I have never forgotten that horrible fire. I was 11 years old when it happened and in the 5th grade of a small Catholic school. My classroom was in the attic of an old brick building. The only exit was a very narrow winding staircase leading to the 2nd floor, where the fire escape was. I had often heard adults around me, including my own parents, referring to that classroom as a "fire trap." I didn't know what that meant until the OLA fire. How could such an arragement ever have been allowed, either legally or morally? I am appalled that parents had this concern, yet sent their children into this situation - the kids had no choice. I was gravely impacted by the OLA fire, maybe because it killed kids of my own age in a Catholic school, and I could really relate. I think somehow subconsciously we felt that we were specially protected by God because we had the nuns and we went to a Catholic school - how could anything bad happen there? I have thought of those kids and that terrible fire so many times over the years. And the fact that it happened right before Christmas - that's all I could think of that Christmas morning, those kids who weren't having any Christmas. To all the survivors and families of the victims, I want you to know that you are not forgotten. What a horror you have had to live with throughout your lifetime. You are thought about and prayed for much more than you can imagine. God bless you.


Posted by: Karen H. On: 3/7/2007 ID: 317
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Northampton, Pa.
I was two and a half when this event took place. It is significant to me because it is the first news story I ever remember hearing about. I was old enough to say my nightly prayers, which up until this time had always been for family. My mother always heard my prayers but just before prayer time one night she told me that "there were a lot of Children killed today at a Catholic school in a big fire - almost 100 - tonight we are going to pray for them." As I got older I later was able to positively confirm that the OLA fire was that event. I started school myself just a few years later, and the nuns were very careful to drill us several times a year in what to do in case of fire. In first grade, I can even remember firemen coming to our school and they'd pick out a lucky kid to demonstrate how to jump into a fire net if need be. I don't know if they still do things like this today. Also, in grade school from Kindergarten on, if we ever heard a fire engine or ambulance siren, we would always stop whatever we were doing and say a Hail Mary or Our Father that whomever was in trouble would get the needed help. It may look like a "small" thing now, but it has had the lifelong effect of me continuing that practice until this day. Faith wasn't just "for Sunday." I have had a lifelong fear of being trapped in a fire, I think it would be the worst possible way to die. I always subconsiously look for the exits in any building I am in. I am sure the OLA fire is the first tragedy I ever heard of of any kind, and in a way you can say it made an "imprint" on me.