Who dies as a result of the injuries sustained in the church fire?

• A. Bob Sheldon
• B. Johnny Cade
• C. Dally Winston
• D. Ponyboy Curtis

Answer: (B)

The moment the church fire is examined, the consequences tied to those injuries point to Johnny Cade. In the fire, Johnny and Ponyboy rescue the children inside the church, and Johnny sustains severe burns and a broken back. He fights to survive in the hospital for a time, but ultimately dies from those injuries. This death is directly linked to the injuries he suffered because of the fire.

Bob Sheldon dies earlier in a separate confrontation with the Greasers, not from the church fire. Dally Winston dies later, but his death comes after the events surrounding Johnny’s, and is not due to the church fire itself. Ponyboy Curtis survives. So, the death resulting from the church fire injuries is Johnny Cade.