Chicago Firefighter Dies After Falling Through Light Shaft While Fighting Blaze: 'Absolutely Devastating'

Andrew Price died Monday while battling a fire at a building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood

A Chicago firefighter died Monday while battling a fire at a building in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood, according to reports.

Andrew "Drew" Pice, 39, died from injuries he sustained after he fell through a light shaft of the burning building, the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times and NBC affiliate WMAQ-TV reported. 

The deadly incident happened Monday morning when Price was on the roof, opening up holes for ventilation and fell, landing on the basement floor, Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Commissioner Nance-Holt told the Sun-Times.

According to the paper and WMAQ-TV, a mayday call was issued before Price was located and freed by his fellow firefighters. Nance-Holt said that he was then taken to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he died of “significant injuries."

Related: Chicago Firefighter's Son, 7, Dies After Fire at Family's Home, Dad Was On Duty and Rushed to Scene

The CFD also confirmed the news on X (formerly known as Twitter), posting, "On behalf of the Fire Commisioner [sic], it is my sad duty to report the passing of our member injured this morning at 2430 Lincoln."

They also said that Price, who was both a firefighter and an EMT, joined the department in March 2009. "In 2015, he was assigned to Truck 44. He would have been 40 years old come January," they posted, adding, "We all knew him as Drew."

PEOPLE reached out to the CFD for comment.

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According to the AP, CFD spokesman Larry Langford said that it was too early to figure out what caused the fire. ABC affiliate WLS-TV reported that the damaged four-story building consisted of 12 apartments on the upper floors and the Lincoln Station bar and grill on the ground floor. 

While speaking to WMAQ-TV, Benn Hamm, the owner of Lincoln Station, said Price's death was "absolutely devastating." He added, "My brother’s a fireman. It’s not taken lightly. It’s honestly what matters to me the most right now."

Related: 2 Chicago Firefighters Killed Battling Separate Blazes a Day Apart: 'Unprecedented,' Commissioner Says

On Wednesday, CFD escorted a procession for Price as his body was taken from the Cook County Morgue to the Drake & Son Funeral Home. A televised service is scheduled for Monday, the department posted to X.

"On behalf of the Chicago Fire Department thank you all for extending your condolences for our fallen member," the department added. "Please keep the family in your prayers and thoughts."

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