Chicago – Firefighter Christopher Wheatly died from his injuries after falling at least three or four stories while battling a blaze Monday morning at a Loop restaurant.

Firefighter and paramedic Wheatly, 31, fell about 35 feet early Monday while carrying tools and equipment up a ladder attached to a building at 615 W. Randolph St., fire officials said. He died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

At 8:30 a.m., about 35 firefighters watched as fire officials affixed a purple memorial bunting above the entrance to Engine Company 5, 324 S. Des Plaines Ave., where Wheatly was stationed.

Wheatly is survived by his father, mother, sister and fiancé, Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff said.

“He was a very aggressive firefighter — he was into the job,” Hoff said outside the station. “He was aggressive. He was into training. He was an all-around firefighter. He loved the job.”

The grease fire started about 12:30 a.m. at a restaurant at 615 W. Randolph St., Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said. The restaurant Avec is listed at that address.

Hoff said the blaze started in a kitchen area and traveled up a grease shoot to the roof. Wheatly was carrying tools and equipment to the roof via a ladder attached to the building when he fell about 35 feet.

He was initially taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, Langford said. His body was taken to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office in a procession of at least 25 police and fire vehicles.

Police cars with their lights activated lined West Harrison Street from North Damen Avenue to the medical examiner’s office at 2121 West Harrison St.

Ambulance 15 pulled into the intake area at the medical examiner’s office as part of a process that included squad cars, ambulances, fire trucks, police sport-utility vehicles and unmarked fire department vehicles driving about 10 miles along Harrison Street with about 15 people walking behind the ambulance.

“He was one of the most helpful on ambulance assists and when he was first-responding,” said paramedic Jeff Swagler, who saw Wheatly last week. “He was always willing to jump in and help.

“He was very popular, he was well liked in the department. There was nothing not to like about him. He was a big sports fan. He had season tickets to the Cubs, he was a big Bears and Blackhawks fan as well. He was a good guy.”

Hoff did not know what caused Wheatly to fall, but described the incident as an accident. The medical examiner’s office will perform an autopsy. Wheatly did not suffer any burns or smoke inhalation prior to falling, Hoff said.

“This job is dangerious,” Hoff said. “You never know what is going to happen when you pull out the door.”

Wheatly was a 10-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. He started as a paramedic in 2000, Hoff said.