Back in July of 2008, I caught this Still and Box alarm fire on Chicago’s Southwest Side near the intersection of South Western Avenue and West 47th Street.  The back porches of this large 25 x 100, 2.5-story frame were fully engulfed when first companies arrived.  

Eric Haak photo

Fires in these enclosed wood frame “back porches” happen fairly frequently here in Chicago and these photos show the kind of fire load first companies have upon arrival.  

Eric Haak photo

Engines 123 and 49 had to lead out through a vacant lot to the south in order to get water on this.  The actual street that the address was on had limited access and only one engine (65) and a tower ladder (39) were able to take the front of the building.  The building was vacant and was torn down shortly after.  

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo