On December 7, 1970, three Naperville firefighters lost their lives in a tragic collision while responding to a house fire. Bill Friedrich shared a link to the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Firefighter Record, which provides a detailed account of the incident. The report includes radio logs, original accident reports, and photographs from the scene, offering a comprehensive look at what happened that day.
The incident occurred at 7:55 AM when the Naperville Fire Department received an alarm for a house fire west of the city. A fire engine carrying five firefighters was en route when it collided with a semi-trailer at the intersection of Illinois Routes 59 and 65. This location had been the site of several fatal accidents in previous years, and traffic signals had only been installed at the intersection two weeks before the crash.
Lieutenant Richard Rechenmacher, Engineer Jerry Herring, and Firefighter Bernard Petrowski were all thrown from the cab of the fire truck during the impact and died instantly. Firefighter Mike Hill was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, while Firefighter James Heinke, who was on the tailboard, escaped without harm.
Mutual aid from the Moecherville Fire Department responded to the initial house fire, and the Downers Grove Fire Department sent additional personnel and equipment to assist the Naperville Fire Department with other emergency calls that day.
The report also features two images. One shows the crushed cab of the Naperville Mack-C engine and the overturned semi-truck, highlighting the severity of the collision. Another image is a delivery photo of the 1967 Mack C95F engine, provided by Bill Friedrich, giving context to the vehicle involved in the accident.
This historical record serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by first responders and the importance of road safety for emergency vehicles. It also honors the bravery of those who lost their lives in service to their community.
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