For 14 years and counting, Chicago Fire fans have rooted for Firehouse 51’s Chris Herrmann (David Eigenberg), but the seasoned firefighter suffered a heartbreaking tragedy in Season 14’s October 22 episode “Mercy.”

The episode kicked off with a heartwarming morning at the Herrmann residence. As Herrmann’s wife Cindy (Robyn Coffin) corralled their

 

 

five children for school, one of Herrmann’s sons was delighted to learn he would soon grow taller than his brother after adding another dash to their kitchen door frame with his updated height. Herrmann headed into work after wishing his loved ones well after a pleasant morning.

 

 

But not long after Herrmann arrived at Firehouse 51, his buddy Mouch (Christian Stolte) overheard a CFD call coming in about a house fire on the radio. The address was an absolute gut-punch: Herrmann’s house was on fire.

 

 

Firehouse 51 wasted no time flying into action. Despite being out of 51’s district, the Windy City heroes weren’t going to let Herrmann’s house burn down without a valiant fight.

 

 

It was a sullen return to Firehouse 51 as the firefighters discussed what Herrmann’s family’s plans were after their displacement. Chihards watched Herrmann and his family move into that home in early Chicago Fire, and after living in that house with his family for 10 years, his friends knew how tragic the loss was. Herrmann, meanwhile, was concerned about what had started the fire when no one was home.

Herrmann recruited Lt. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) to leverage his experience in arson investigation to get to the bottom of it. Severide discovered the fire started in the kitchen, but struggled to prove how. Herrmann explained that the outlets had been recently rewired, could that have been it? Severide confirmed that could have served as the spark. The catch? Herrmann had been the one to rewire the stove.

Severide later proved that the fire was caused by a short in the ignition unit, not a rewiring snafu. While Herrmann was relieved to be absolved, he remained heartbroken over the loss of his home. Herrmann suspiciously asked if Mouch was there to tell him to move on, but Mouch shook his head — he was there to help however he could.