The Fire That Will Not Die

by Michele McBride

A very moving and terrifying account by a survivor of the 1958 Our Lady of the Angels School fire in Chicago which killed 92 children and three Roman Catholic nuns. It's an inspiring story of courage and recovery.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1979

Reviews

[MeriBeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fire That Will Not Die is Michele McBride’s personal memoir of the tragic event with changed her life, her recovery and her struggles for years afterwards to come to terms with the event. Ms. McBride was one of survivors of the 1958 Our Lady of the Angels School Fire in Chicago, Illinois. Severely burned before she leaped from her burning school, Ms. McBride endured months of hospital treatment before returning home during a time when disaster victims – but especially the survivors of the OLA School Fire – were encouraged to ‘endure’ and ‘ not mourn’. This was an era before grief counselors and mainstream support for disaster victims complicated by a firm belief in the sanctity of the Roman Catholic Church. This book, written twenty years after the fire in question, tells Ms. McBride’s story from the fire through her physical recovery and through to her eventual emotional/mental recovery years later. It is a moving account of the fire and its aftermath in the story of one person.

I read the original 1979 edition of this book; however, Ms. McBride died in 2001 and the book’s publisher has reissued this book in response to multiple requests and now includes her obituary at the end of the volume.

[Jenna Hubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book if you are into learning about historical events. This book by Michelle McBride was very touching and informational, as she was a victim of a horrible tragedy of the Our Lady of Angels School and Church fire, in Chicago IL. One quote that really stood out to me was "During Religion class that morning our teacher made mention that Helen and I one boy were the only three who went to Mass the first day of Advent Season". (6-7) This surprised me because you never know what will happen within a few hours. That very day, after being good to God and attending Mass, a fire strikes out killing 95 people. This quote just shows to always be grateful for what you have and to do everything you can to make the most out of your day.

[Amber]

It is hard to rate this book. Learning about my grandfathers childhood is an eye-opening experience.

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic story, but realistic memoir of a burn.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book years ago when i was like in 4th grade my grandma ordered the book and we had a couple issues in hardcover.
Since my aunt and dad went to the school at the time they knew many of the children who passed away.

[Tary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that deserves to be heard. This should never have happened.

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a first person account of a burn victim who was injured in the Our Lady of the Angels Fire in Chicago.