Ceremony Honoring 3 Firefighters Killed In 1973 Planned In Palatine

PALATINE, IL — In February 1973, three volunteer firefighters lost their lives fighting a blaze in the Ben Franklin store in downtown Palatine. Now, 51 years later, Josh Wilson, Richard Freeman and Warren Ahlgrim will be honored during a brief ceremony Friday at the Palatine Firefighters Memorial Plaza, N. Brockway and W. Slade streets.

The ceremony is planned for 9 a.m., according to the Palatine Fire Department. Prior to the ceremony, the Palatine Fire Honor Guard will step off at 8:45 a.m. from Station 85 at 39 E. Colfax St. and march to the memorial. There will be a wreath presentation and ringing of the ceremonial fire bell at a ceremony open to the public.

The early morning fire started in the basement of the store and quickly spread throughout the entire building. The three were on the first hose line and died while fighting the fire in the basement.