A veteran Chicago firefighter has died after a garage fire and collapse in Chicago’s North Austin neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt identified him as Fire Captain David Meyer, 54, who joined the department in 1996.
“Please keep us all in your prayers,” she said. “It’s one of those things, we go to work every day and we never know if we’re going to come home.”
Meanwhile, authorities have determined that the fire was caused by human action. The Office of Fire Investigation, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the fire started when someone ignited the contents of a trash bin. Evidence has been turned over to Chicago Police detectives for a criminal investigation.
Chicago Police said a person was in custody in connection to the fire. Neighbors said the fire is part of a trend.
Nance-Holt said the fire department received a call just after 4 a.m. for a garage fire that is now believed to have been caused by human action at 5505 W. Crystal St., near Pine Avenue. Firefighters, including Capt. Meyer, responded to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent plumes of smoke and flames shooting into the air.
Nance-Holt said the fire was put out, and when the firefighters were standing outside the structure, the garage collapsed and injured Meyer.
A mayday call went out at 4:18 a.m. and Meyer was rushed to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Nance-Holt said Capt. Meyer joined the Chicago fire department in October 1996. He was assigned to Truck No. 29, at 441 N. Waller Ave. on the West Side of Chicago.
Meyer’s fire station putting bunting up in honor of their fallen brother.
Meyer was passionate about being a firefighter, Nance-Holt said.
“This is what he loved to do, and he was really good at it,” she said.
Meyer is survived by his parents, his wife, three daughters and a son, and his CFD family, Nance-Holt said.
“His mom and dad are still here, and it’s hard,” said Nance-Holt. “The mom said, you know, no one should watch their child go first.”
Nance-Holt asked everyone in the city of Chicago to keep Meyer’s family and the department in their prayers during this time.
“When you lose a brother or sister on the Fire Department, it’s life-changing. It’s a family member. It’s not just a coworker because we stay together 24 hours a day,” Nance-Holt said.
Several firefighters and officers stood outside of Stroger Hospital of Cook County, saluting the fallen captain as he was loaded into the ambulance. There was silence along the route as Meyer’s body was sent to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. His family watched tearfully.
“He was the rock of his family. His wife shared with me that they have been together since they were 14 years old, and they started dating when they were 15 years old,” said Nance-Holt, “so they’ve been married a long time.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke alongside Nance-Holt, calling him a hero and offering his condolences to Meyers’ colleagues and family at the Fire Department.
“The entire city of Chicago will put our arms around Mr. Meyer’s wife, his three lovely daughters and his son, his parents and the company that he served alongside of, the Chicago Fire Department,” Johnson said.
In a statement, the mayor added, “This is a devastating loss for our city. Captain Meyer was not just a firefighter; he was a beloved husband, son, and father of four. Our whole city wraps our arms around the family and loved ones of Captain Meyer during this trying time.”
The Chicago Teachers Union, who rallied with the Chicago Fire Department’s firefighters union in solidarity as
both groups sought new contracts with the city earlier this year
, also released a statement about Meyer’s death, writing in part, “Captain Meyer had a long career dedicated to serving the people of Chicago during their times of need, which reflects the commitment of our courageous firefighters and paramedics. His sacrifice is a debt that our city can never fully repay. … We mourn alongside our IAFF Chicago Fire Fighters Local 2 siblings.”
Neighbors mourn Capt. Meyer as witness describes horrifying scene
Neighbors took a moment Wednesday evening to say a prayer for Meyer. Miriam Alonso lives in the home alongside the one where the garage burned, and remembers everything she witnessed early in the morning.
“I saw a police officer and he was like: ‘Oh my God, your garage is on fire! You guys need to evacuate, like in case it reaches the house!'” Alonso said.
Alonso said she then saw the firefighter who turned out to be Capt. Meyer go in to assess the damage. Alonso said Meyer did not come back out after an I-beam was pulled and the roof collapsed.
“The metal thing, they didn’t expect for it to be attached to anything, so when they pulled it, like it hit him, like I’m assuming it hit him right here,” she said as she touched her neck, “because that’s what we saw.”
Alonso was alarmed by the sight, and it has stuck with her.
“It was traumatizing,” Alonso said. “I’m still having like flashbacks from that moment, like I still think like it’s still happening right now.”
Alonso said this was not the first time garages on the block have been set on fire. So far this year, she said three others have caught fire on then same block.
“I know he didn’t expect it to get out of hand, but it literally cost somebody’s life.” Alonso said.
