The Chicago Fire Department Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of an explosion that killed four firefighters in the Back of the Yards neighborhood responding to a fire in a sausage factory.
On Feb. 7, 1968, more than 300 firefighters were called to the Mickelberry Food Products Company at 50th and Halsted.Fire Cmsr. Jose Santiago, addressing those assembled, including firefighters and family members of some of those who lost their lives, said, “We remember the day when the gates of hell opened up, and the lives of so many were changed forever.”