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Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) School Fire, December 1, 1958
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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.
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Posted by: Johnny Mitchell On: 1/21/2004 ID: 145
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
It was very shocking when I heard of this story. My grammar school never had any fire equipment. If I knew in my school days I would have really strived for better safety. God I hope it never happens again. God Bless those Families. I attend De La Salle(Chicago). My History of Chicago class has been studing this disaster.


Posted by: Linda On: 1/17/2004 ID: 144
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Chicao, Illinois
I was a month short of 4 years old when the fire took my aunt (Carol Gazzola), 9 years my senior, away from us. I don't remember a lot of specifics about her, except that she played with my younger sister and me often and left us with a warm feeling. I do remember a phone call on the day of the fire and my mother's frantic cries. I remember many such calls and a feeling of panic in the house. I also recall trying to watch the news on TV. With my 4 year old mind, I knew that there was a fire, but did not totally comprehend what happened that dreadful day. But, I knew my aunt was gone forever. I did not realize the impact of this event on my life as a young child until my son was 4 years old. That year, my aunt, as her 13 year old self in a beautiful white dress arose from a glass casket in my dream and told me "I'm okay, Linda, everthing is all right." I felt a deep feeling of peace and realized the impact she had on my life. I have always had at least one friend in my life that was 8-10 years older than I, but did not realize that possible connection until I was in my 40's. I have always felt for my grandmother and mother, but never comprehended the impact the fire could have on a young child removed from the actual events, until much later in life. The biggest hurdle I had to overcome was turning 14 and realizing that I had not died as my aunt did at such an early age. If I could experience this, considering my circumstances, I can only imagine the trauma others in closer connection to that day must have suffered. You all are survivors and I hope your faith has guided you through your healing as mine has. I think we will all remember the angels that the fire created that day and pray for them and the survivors often.


Posted by: Nayele On: 1/14/2004 ID: 143
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
when i heard about the story it was sad i thought about the people that died. i cant imagine how could someone lose their life by the fire. i think that that was unfair to all the children that died and the teachers i heard the story by my teacher. i found everything else by the net. i feel sorry for all the moms and dads kids that suffered a lot.i hope that that story never happens again.


Posted by: DOLORES LABUDA On: 1/11/2004 ID: 142
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before CHICAGO
WELL I AM A SISTER OF CAROL ANN GAZZOLA WHO DIED IN THE SCHOOL FIRE.I ALSO WENT TO THAT SCHOOL,I GRADUATRED IN 1946. I WAS 14 YEARS OLDER THEN MY SISTER. I HELPED MY MOM RAISE HER, SHE WAS LIKE MY CHILD. THE DAY THIS HORRIBLE FIRE STARTED, I WAS ORDERING FOR A BOOK SOME CLOTHS FOR MY SISTER FOR CHRISTMAS. WHEN I GOT THIS PHONE CALL FROM MY BEST FRIEND, TELLING ME THE SCHOOL WAS ON FIRE. SO I SAID LET ME CALL HER TO SEE IF SHE WAS HOME, WELL THE PHONE WAS BUSY SO I THOUGHT SHE WAS HOME. TILL I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM MY MOM, IT SEEM THE FLOOR DROPED FROM UNDER MY FEET. I LIVED ON THE SOUTH SIDE ON THEY LIVED ON THE NORTH SIDE.AND BEING PREGANT 8MONTHS I COULN'T DO TO MUCH BESIDE I HAD TWO OTHER CHILDREN. BUT WE COULDN'T FINE MY SISTER FOR 47 HOURS. SHE WAS IN THE REAL BAD ROOM 211. BUT SHE IS MY LITTLE ANGEL. I DON'T KNOW WHY GOD TOOK OUR LITTLE ONES, BUT GOD HAS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING. I AN SORRY FOR ALL THE FAMLIES THAT HAD TO GO THOUGHT THIS ORDEAL. I THINK OF MY SISTER EVERY DAY AND LOVE HER VERY MUCH. GOD BLESS YOU ALL DOLORES LABUDA


Posted by: mary On: 1/1/2004 ID: 141
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes No No 7 3
I was in 3rd grade, I remember my classroom was in the lower level. I do not remember my teachers name. I was absent the day of the school fire. Even tho I did not witness the horrific events that took place that day, I remember it vididly. My father told me about that day when he was on his way home from work and heard about the fire on the radio. He did not know that I had been kept home because of all reasons, my baby sister had poked me in the eye. It was so painful I could not open my eye and remember I was in bed when my dad came home frantically telling my mom that the school was on fire. When he found out I was home he ran to the school. We lived on Pulaski Ave. and my grandpartens lived on Springfield. They were both there and told me heartbraking stories of what took place that fateful day. I do not know why God spared me from that day, I probably would have survived, my 3rd grade class survived. I did not see the horror of that day, but I will never forget that day.


Posted by: Ralph Zaccariello On: 12/24/2003 ID: 140
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Oak Park, IL
I vividly remember the day of the fire although I was in the second grade at St. Edmund School in Oak Park because one of my classmates, Rosemary Di Canio had just moved in from OLA and we all prayed with her.

As a junior in high school I researched the OLA fire for a term paper. I talked with survivors as well as some Chicago firefighters that were at the fire. One firefighter, Lt. Stanley Wojnicki of Engine 85 commanded the first arriving Chicago Fire Dept. unit at the scene. During his account of what he saw when he first arrived at the scene, Lt. Wojnicki bagan to cry. I will always remember that. As a result of the research that I had done and the contacts that I had made with the Chicago Fire Dept., Chief John Wall from headquarters would forward any inquiries about the OLA fire to me.

Many years later Greg Cowan wrote his book To Sleep With The Angels. I bought the book to read on a trip. I began reading it at ten in the morning on Saturday and finished it at eight in the morning on Monday. The book kept me in it for all that time. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!!! Dave Cowan did a tremendous research job on this book and ALL the names and stories took on a stronger meaning to me.

I will never forget OLA and pray often for all those people whose lives this tragic event touched. God Speed, Father Joe.


Posted by: Tom Tonnesen On: 12/22/2003 ID: 139
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Near Fullerton and Cicero in Chicago
I am 53 years old and grew up in Chicago near the intersection of Fullerton and Cicero. On Dec. 1, 1958, I was a 4th grader (age 9) at St. Genevieve School. I live in Wisconsin now, and today (Dec. 22, 2003)I bought a Chicago Tribune to read about the Bears' victory over the Washington Redskins. In the Metro section, I read the obituary about Father Joseph Ognibene, and a flood of memories returned to me about the tragic OLA fire. I immediately conducted some Internet searches, and I was amazed and transfixed by this website.

About 4:00 pm on Dec. 1, 1958, I remember being on a CTA trolley bus (Fullerton Ave.) with my mother. We were on our way to a shopping district (Belmont and Central), probably to do some Christmas shopping. The news of the fire was spreading, and I can vividly remember my mom and a number of other women on the bus talking about the breaking news. Returning to St. Genevieve the next day, all the nuns (Sisters of Providence) spoke about the fire. Fire drills became very numerous and very serious, and I recall well standing on the sidewalk during icy Chicago winters, "praying" for the all-clear bell that would allow us to return to the warmth of the building.

St. Gen's was a school not unlike OLA, with three classrooms of 50+ kids for each grade. Even in 4th grade, we knew that the OLA tragedy could have happened at St. Gen's, and coupled with the "bomb" drills (under the desk with our heads between our kness) of the Cold War era, the world seemed like a scarier place.

A few years later (1964), I started high school at St. Pat's on the northwest side, and one of my homeroom classmates was an OLA survivor. (For the purposes of privacy, I am not mentioning his name.) I remember questioning him closely about the events of Dec. 1, 1958. Amazingly, in the mid-1980s while coaching youth hockey in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, I met a parent of one of my players who was also an OLA survivor. (Again, I will keep his name private.) He was in 8th grade at the time of the fire, and while scanning the list of survivors on this website, I was in awe to see his name. Believe it or not, he was one of the 8th grade boys who was helping out with the clothing drive on the OLA church on that fateful day.

As I view the pictures of the children from the newspaper headlines that awful week, I sit here in my office today and offer a prayer to those whose lives were ended much too soon, as well as for all of the loved ones that they left behind. God bless you all, and know that you do not grieve alone.


Posted by: Susan On: 12/21/2003 ID: 138
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No Before Zion, Illlinois
I went to a Catholic school north of Chicago from 1962-1970. The nuns often talked about a terrible fire in a Chicago Catholic grade school where the children sat at their desks with hands folded and prayed while the school burned. We had monthly fire drills which were taken very seriously, no talking, marching out quickly in straight rows and waiting outside for what seemed like an eternity, even in the bitter winter cold in our uniforms with thin cardigan sweaters. Those fire drills scared me, because of the nuns' attitude towards them. Now that I know the full tragedy of that day at Our Lady of the Angels, I understand how our nuns must have felt about it and the possibility it could happen to us.
For the survivors, and the families and friends of victims and survivors, I hope that you can find some peace and healing. The code of silence you had to endure must have been very difficult. Thankfully, today repression is out and grief counselling is in.


Posted by: matt jameson On: 12/19/2003 ID: 137
Enrolled on 12/1/58? Present on 12/1/58? Injured? Age Grade Classroom Teacher
Yes Yes No 6 1 annex
In response to Nancy H.'s post.

I was in the first grade classroom on the first floor and remember your mother, in a panicky voice, stating that the school was on fire, as she ran into our room and up the stairs. That was our first hint that something was wrong. I can still picture the incident.

If I recall correctly we ended school shortly after that and headed home.


Posted by: Kelley B. On: 12/11/2003 ID: 136
At OLA on 12/1/58? Born before or after 12/1/58? Where Lived on 12/1/58?
No After n/a
I was born about eighteen years after the fire at OLA. My father however, was a fifth grade student at nearby Saint Agatha's at the time of the fire. My mother was in the fourth grade at Saint Columbanus on the south side. My father remembers hearing about the fire when he got home that day. He says that he also remembers hearing the sirens and seeing the fire trucks race down the street towards the school. Both of my parents remember the changes that took place not long after the fire. Saint Agatha's and Saint Columbanus were both two story, brick but very old buildings, probably built around the same time as Our Lady of the Angels. Monthly fire drills became routine for them as well as brand new sprinkler systems.

I myself attended a parochial school in the south suburbs, but it was a much newer building, and it was also a single story structure. I do remember, my principal, Sister Mary Marcella, explaining to us why we had fire drills. She mentioned often, a school on the north side that caught fire and most of the children had died. It was often among the hushed stories told by my nuns. They never mentioned the name of Our Lady of the Angels, nor did they ever mention that the building was structurally unsafe. We didn't have fire drills during the winter months, probably because during the 1980s, the winters in Chicago were bitterly cold and snowy. During the fall and spring months, fire drills were a regular routine, especially during the infamous Fire Prevention Week in October, when we could not only count on a visit from the local firemen to host an assembly on fire safety, but we could also count on, like clockwork, a fire drill every day during that week. Now that I am grown up, I believe that Sister Marcella made us have those regular fire drills because she might've been afraid that what happened at OLA might happen to us.

One memory that is vivid in my mind, that sounds a lot like the Cheesebox classroom, is that when I was in third grade, we had a special fire exit. Unlike the Cheesebox though, it was held shut by simple bolts that could be lifted out in seconds. When the fire bell rang, instead of going into the main hallway with the other grades, we went into our coatroom and climbed up four wooden stairs to a door, walked across a concrete landing, and down six steps to another door that led to the outside. So if anything did happen, we could very easily escape. One thing that I do want to mention is that what happened at OLA could've very easily happened at my father's school, or at my mother's. I thank God each and every day that He kept my mom and dad safe when they were attending these still "unsafe" schools. For those that perished though, I do pray for their souls and for their families that were left behind, that they find peace with what happened. Honestly, I believe that the tragedy at OLA occured so that it wouldn't happen to other children. I believe that God allows bad things to happen to teach us valuable lessons. I have a saying, "Out of tragedy comes triumph." And I believe in this situation it did. No one ever took fire safety for granted again. Because of those ninety two beautiful little angels and those three brave nuns, it shouldn't have to happen again.

I also wanted to say this in defense of the nuns that were in those six classrooms that day. I read the book "To Sleep with the Angels" several times, and I have heard the rumors that the nuns had the students pray rather than try to escape. From what the authors of the book describe, by the time they were aware of the fire, the hallway was filled with so much smoke and flames that escape through it was impossible. Most of the time, it is the smoke, not the fire, that kills you. In this case however, the fire and the smoke worked together to make a deadly inferno that nobody, not even a fireman wearing protective equipment could've walked through and come out alive. If the teachers had tried to lead their children through the hallway, chances are that a lot more than ninety two children would've died. The second that they hit that door, they would have been asphyixiated before anyone could blink. It sounds to me like they were praying to try and keep some control and calm in an awful situation. I believe that they did the best that they could, given the circumstances. For the nuns who died, they did what any mother would've done, sacrifice her own safety for that of her children. That to me, is a true act of selfless love...

To the survivors, God bless you and keep you always in perfect peace.To those that lost their lives, may God bring you eternal rest and ressurect you to the place that He has called you.

Amen