Another Blaze, Another Cliffhanger—Will Severide Survive?
Chicago Fire fans are no strangers to nail-biting finales, but Season 14’s fall finale might be one of the most harrowing yet. In Episode 1407, “Pierce the Vein,” beloved firefighter Kelly Severide once again found himself trapped inside a burning building, and viewers were left wondering: Is this the end for Firehouse 51’s fearless leader?
The episode escalated quickly during an investigation into a suspicious school fire. Severide and Van Meter traced the threat back to the school’s principal, only to find themselves in another fire—this time, deliberately set while they’re in the man’s apartment. With a cloaked arsonist lighting the lobby ablaze, the trio becomes stranded upstairs, smoke thickening and flames spreading rapidly. As the fire rages, so do fan fears.
Danger Is Familiar, But This Feels Different
Let’s be honest: this isn’t Severide’s first brush with death. Over the years, he’s been caught in collapses, explosions, and countless high-risk rescues. But this fire feels different. The writing, the pacing, and the absence of his wife, Stella Kidd, all hint at a major turning point.
With Miranda Rae Mayo (Kidd) temporarily off-screen due to storyline developments involving her brother Isaiah, fans can’t help but feel uneasy. What kind of message would it send to have Severide seriously injured—or worse—while his wife is away?
Still, history suggests that Chicago Fire rarely kills off core characters mid-season. It’s a long-standing rule… but as we’ve learned from 911 and other high-stakes dramas, no one is truly safe anymore.
Could Van Meter Be the One We Lose?
While fan panic focuses heavily on Severide, there’s another name floating just beneath the surface: Van Meter. The veteran arson investigator, often stoic and quietly brilliant, may be the character most at risk.
The trailer for the winter premiere shows Severide helping the principal escape—but Van Meter’s fate is left unclear. Could this be the show’s way of upping the stakes without sacrificing a main cast member?
Losing Van Meter would be a blow, not only to Severide personally but to the arson investigation team—and it could set off a darker, more vengeful arc in the back half of Season 14.
One Death Feels Inevitable
With three men trapped and the building about to collapse, someone’s not getting out alive. The fire was no accident—it was targeted. And the cliffhanger suggests Chicago Fire is gearing up for a gut-wrenching loss when it returns on January 7, 2026.
Will it be Van Meter? The principal? Or has the unthinkable finally caught up with Kelly Severide?
