Procession, Fundraiser Planned For Firefighter Killed In Line Of Duty

CHICAGO — Following a procession for the fallen firefighter, a Lincoln Park martial arts school located near the building where a Chicago firefighter died in the line of duty Monday is planning a fundraiser for his family. Andrew Price, 39, was killed while fighting a fire at 2430 Lincoln Ave.

Supreme Jiu-Jitsu said all proceeds from the Friday fundraiser, which also intends to introduce attendees to the combat sport, will go to the Price family. According to a flyer, an open mat will be held at 4:30 p.m., with a class scheduled for 6:10 p.m.

"Lincoln Station [fire location] used to be a hang-out after class for some Supreme Jiu-Jitsu students who enjoyed food and played pool together," a flyer from the school at 2442 Lincoln Ave. reads. "Great memories have been made."

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Meanwhile, the Chicago Fire Department will have a procession for Price on Wednesday morning. The CFD said it will leave the Cook County morgue at 10 a.m. and take Price's body to Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave. An obituary and funeral plans for Price had not been released as of Wednesday morning.

Price was among 150 firefighters on the scene of the Monday morning blaze in the four-story building that houses the Lincoln Station bar and restaurant on the first floor. According to CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt, at around 6 a.m., Price was on the roof of the mixed-use building "opening holes" when he fell through a light shaft. She said firefighters had to open up a wall where he was trapped to bring him out.

Price was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition following the fire and eventually died from his "significant injuries."

Price was a member of Engine 55, Truck 44 (Halstead Street and Diversey Avenue). He joined the Chicago Fire Department in 2009. Price and his family lived in the Kilbourn Park neighborhood in Chicago's Northwest Side. He was set to turn 40 in January of next year.

Price is the fourth Chicago firefighter to die in the line of duty this year, following Kevin Ward in August, and Jeremy Pelt and Jan Tchoryk in April. Pelt and Tchoryk died on consecutive days in separate fires.