Chicago Fire’s Brandon Larracuente Opens Up About Sal Vasquez’s ‘Guilt’ After Herrmann’s Heartbreaking Loss
Chicago Fire fans are still reeling from the emotional episode that saw Christopher Herrmann’s home go up in flames — a devastating moment that tested every firefighter at Station 51. Now, newcomer Brandon Larracuente, who plays Sal Vasquez, has opened up about the intense scenes and how the tragedy will shape his character moving forward.
A Fire Too Close to Home
In the October 22 episode, Firehouse 51 raced to a blaze at Herrmann’s own address. The moment Herrmann realized his family home was burning was gut-wrenching, as he tried desperately to rush inside and salvage cherished memories.
Amid the chaos, it was Sal Vasquez who physically pulled Herrmann from the wreckage. Speaking on the One Chicago Podcast, Brandon revealed that the moment left his character shaken: “Sal has some guilt,” he said. “He had to carry Christopher out of his own home while he was trying to save what he could. That kind of thing sticks with you.”
Sal’s intervention, though heroic, came at a cost — he stopped Herrmann from going back inside, forcing him to face the reality that his home, and the life built inside it, were gone.
The Emotional Weight Behind the Scene
Brandon described the scene as one of the toughest he’s filmed since joining Chicago Fire. “We end up in the front yard, and Herrmann’s yelling, ‘Get this guy away from me,’” he recalled. “He’s furious — and I don’t blame him. His whole world is literally burning.”
He added that a quiet but powerful moment followed when Severide told Herrmann, “It’s gone, man. Accept the fact.” That line, Brandon said, perfectly captured the heartbreak of the situation.
Podcast host Brian Luce praised the emotional realism of the episode, noting that “little details hit hard — like the doorframe where they measured the kids’ heights over the years. Those are things you can’t replace.”
Filming the Devastation
Behind the scenes, Larracuente said filming the sequence was physically demanding — and actor David Eigenberg made sure he earned every moment. “David actually didn’t help me at all that day,” he laughed. “He told me, ‘You gotta earn it.’ So we were really tussling.”
He praised Eigenberg’s commitment, saying, “He wears that heavy gear all day, doesn’t take it off, and gives everything to the performance. Watching his work ethic — and Miranda’s, too — makes you want to bring your best.”
Sal Vasquez: The Rebel With a Past
Showrunner Andrea Newman has already teased that Vasquez’s addition to Firehouse 51 will shake things up. “He’s kind of a rebel, kind of a bad boy,” she told TV Line. “He’s had problems with authority — both personally and professionally.”
Fans have learned that Sal’s father, a disgraced police officer, is in prison for tampering with evidence — a dark legacy that continues to influence his son. Newman hinted that Sal’s relationship with Lieutenant Stella Kidd will be “really fun,” though not necessarily easy.
As for Sal’s guilt over the Herrmann fire, Brandon says it won’t fade quickly. “It’s something that changes how he sees the job — and how he sees himself,” he shared.
A New Chapter for Firehouse 51
The episode’s emotional fallout marks a turning point for both Herrmann and Vasquez. Herrmann faces the painful task of rebuilding, while Sal must learn to balance his rebellious streak with empathy and responsibility.
And for fans, the powerful performances from David Eigenberg and Brandon Larracuente prove that Chicago Fire still knows how to deliver raw, human storytelling at its very best.