Walter Stewart: Chicago firefighter donates organs of wife and children after they die in deadly fire
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Firefighter Walter Stewart has lost his entire family after they succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire that broke out at their home last week. Stewart was reportedly on duty Tuesday, March 7, when a fire broke out in his home while his wife and three children were inside.
The veteran firefighter rushed back to his residence in Chicago's Montclare neighborhood to perform CPR on his wife, although he was not part of the original rescue team assigned to respond to the scene. Stewart's seven-year-old son, Ezra, was pronounced dead on Wednesday night, March 8, as confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. His wife Summer Day-Stewart, 36, died Thursday evening, March 9. The firefighter's two other young children were hospitalized in critical condition at the time. Two-year-old Emory Day-Stewart and nine-year-old Autumn Day-Stewart died on Friday night, March 10, per the medical examiner.
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Investigation underway
Fire department officials previously said that all four members of Stewart's family had suffered from smoke inhalation during the blaze, according to CBS Chicago. Autopsy results with the definitive causes of their deaths were not finalized at the time of publication. Meanwhile, the exact cause behind the fire is still unknown and remains under investigation at this time. Speaking to the Associated Press, Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford said the blaze began in the kitchen. A spokesperson also told CBS Chicago that the department was working with the medical examiner's office to determine how the incident transpired.
The aftermath
Firefighters distributed smoke detectors and other fire prevention materials to residents in Stewart's neighborhood on Friday, which is reportedly a common practice following a deadly fire. However, Stewart's family home did have smoke detectors, per CBS Chicago. The fire department has since launched a fundraiser to help Stewart's family through its charity, Ignite the Spirit. "We wrap our arms and prayers around our brother on the loss of his wife and children," the organization said in a social media statement over the weekend, adding, "This is an unimaginable loss and we will be by your side."
Organs donated
Speaking to the Chicago Sun-Times, a fire department source said Stewart had agreed to donate organs from all four family members to help others desperately in need of transplants. The department first notified fellow members and asked if anyone they knew was in urgent need of a donation. Meanwhile, the Fire Fighters Local 2 Union also issued a statement in solidarity with the family. "Every member of Local 2 and the Department mourns with our brother Walter and the Stewart family. This tragedy weighs heavy on our hearts, and we pledge our ongoing support," Jim Tracy, the president of Local 2, said in the statement, adding, "Local 2 is encouraging everyone to make a donation for Walter and the Stewart family through the 'Ignite The Spirit Chicago.'"