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An 18-year veteran Chicago firefighter died overnight after going into cardiac arrest within hours of responding to a blaze on the South Side, officials said.
The firefighter was 61 years old, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. His name has not been released pending notification of family members.
The firefighter responded to a fire in a kitchen about 10 p.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of West 99th Street, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Will Knight said.
After returning to his firehouse, the firefighter experienced shortness of breath while cleaning equipment, Knight said. He was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital, where he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 11:21 p.m.
The firefighter's body was taken early Monday to the medical examiner's office, accompanied by a procession of fire and police vehicles.
Dozens of firefighters and police officers lined the streets outside the office and saluted as the procession passed under an American flag hanging from an extended fire truck ladder.
With many bowing their heads and removing their helmets, the firefighters then gathered for a communal prayer before the firefighter's body was taken inside.
The death came three days after the funeral of Capt. Herbert "Herbie" Johnson, a 32-year fire department veteran who died while battling an extra-alarm blaze. Johnson was remembered Thursday during an emotional service attended by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and hundreds of firefighters at a Southwest Side church.
asege@tribune.com
Twitter: @AdamSege
Chicago firefighter dies after responding to fire
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Chicago firefighter dies after responding to fire
