The Daily Herald
PALATINE, Ill. — Somber members of the Palatine Fire Department gathered Wednesday morning to recognize the service and sacrifice of three fallen volunteer firefighters killed 38 years ago.
A brief tribute was held at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial at Brockway and Slade streets at which firefighters spoke, presented a wreath and conducted a bell ceremony.
Warren Ahlgrim, Richard Freeman and John Wilson died Feb. 23, 1973, while trying to extinguish a blaze at the Ben Franklin Variety Store downtown.
Fire Chief Orville Helms reported at the time that the three men each wore a self-contained breathing apparatus but asphyxiated due to smoke inhalation and the superheated air in the basement.
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