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All posts for the month September, 2013

Eric Haak shared these images from a fire in Chicago that occurred on April 5, 2012

The following photos were taken on Thursday, April 5, 2012 in the 4800 block of South Ashland in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.  All of the photos shown except for the image of the Tower Ladder were taken within the first ten minutes of the first companies arriving on scene.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

As you can see, the building was heavily involved by the time companies arrived.  The fire was started by an electrical issue that ignited combustible materials on the second floor of a used appliance store. I was on my way home after work and was at 51st and Damen when the first due engine reported the working fire.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

A truck company (don’t remember which one) taking 49th street reported it was a garage and that is what it looked like from the alley.  I headed that direction thinking it wasn’t going to be much, but before I could park my car they were calling for a Still & Box.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

The original fire building was a 2.5-story, 20 x 100 ordinary commercial with a wood frame peak roof.  This building had an attached garage for unloading and storage.  Companies had to cut through a steel door in order to gain access to the garage section, but it wasn’t long after this that the attic became fully involved.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

One company used a ladder to get a line up in a desperate effort to protect the exposure building to the south, but the fire had made too much headway and would eventually take this building which also had a wood frame peak roof.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Engines 123 and 49 both took sector 1 and set up hand lines. Engine 39 took a position in the alley and worked a deck gun from that position.  Tower Ladder 39 also took position in sector 1.  Then Lieutenant Herbert “Herbie” Johnson of Tower Ladder 39 is seen working with his company to set up the Tower in the above image.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Later that same year Captain Johnson would tragically lose his life battling a blaze less than a mile from this incident.  Eventually, Tower Ladder 54 was also set up in sector 1 as well.  Engines 116 and 65 were also flowing water at this incident.  Squad 5A did set up in the alley, but things were very tight and there was no way to get a good shot of it working this incident.

Scott LaPrade from  Leominster, MA submitted several images from different incidents:

2 Alarms in Leominster MA Aug 8th

Leominster Fire Department

Scott LaPrade photo

Dump Truck fire in Leominster Ma

Leominster Fire Department

Scott LaPrade photo

Detroit Mi July 2013

Detroit  FIre Department

Scott LaPrade photo

Click here to visit Scott’s site

 

Glenn Duda submitted these images from a fire today in West Haven, CT.

West Haven, CT – 1003 Post Rd. Gino’s Steakhouse

The City of West Haven fire alarm received multiple calls for a restaurant on fire shortly before 8:30 a.m. this morning.

First due units arrived to find heavy smoke and fire erupting from the establishment. The restaurant had been closed for several weeks for a remodel project. A second and third alarm were quickly transmitted bringing all of the city’s companies to work. The fire took about an hour to bring under control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

West Haven Fire Department

Glenn Duda photo

West Haven Fire Department

Glenn Duda photo

West Haven Fire Department

Glenn Duda photo

West Haven Fire Department

Glenn Duda photo

West Haven Fire Department

Glenn Duda photo

 

Click here to vist Glenn’s site

I was riding with Oklahoma City companies when they were dispatched for a reported fire on the second floor of a commercial building. The address represented a frame dwelling that had been subdivided into two separate units, which classified it as commercial. The upper unit had one rear entry which was blocked by fire, and a neighbor reported seeing the resident at the window in the ‘B’ sector or side 2.

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

The scene on arrival with heavy fire in the rear as companies setup for a rescue on side 2. Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

A line is stretched as fire vents from side 4. Larry Shapiro photo

While an engine company stretched to the rear and attacked the fire, the truck crew along with another engine company went to work to attempt a rescue from the bedroom window.

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

A fireman takes out the second floor window. Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

Heavy smoke vents from the window. Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

As the photos show, the room was heavily charged with smoke. After taking out the windows, the crew was unsure of the integrity of the floor because when they tried to sound it from the window they were unsuccessful at first.

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

A fireman attempts to search for the victim and checks the integrity of the floor before entering the room. Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

The first fireman enters the room. Larry Shapiro photo

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

A second firemen tries to assist with the victim. Larry Shapiro photo

As it turns out, the window was not built to code and the ledge was over a foot higher than it should have been. The occupant had no chance of escaping through this window, and was overcome by the noxious smoke.

Oklahoma City Fire Department fights house fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Here is a link to more images from this incident.

Another set of images from a 2006 3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago by Dan Shevlin

Chicago’s Gresham Neighborhood on the city’s southside, site of a spectacular 3-11 alarm .  Mr G’s Supper Club located at 1525 W 87th Street . February 2nd 2006 .  1 story ordinary constructed, 50 x 100,  fully involved restaurant/night club. This fire occurred in the cold, overcast 0700 hour.  Towers 39 & 34 took up positions in the front corners of the building as Squad 5 covered sector 2 rear. Several hand lines were used in the vantage point areas to the west. Engines 129 & 15 used deck guns on the east along with exposure lines to the south on a Chicago Bungalow.

 

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Chicago Fire Department fire at Mr G's Supper Club

Dan Shevlin photo

Patrick Dooley took in detached garage fire in Hartford, CT.

Some picture’s from a working fire in Hartford, Ct at 44 Yale St on 9/17/13 at 0950 hours.   More pictures of the fire at www.squadfirephotos.com
Hartford Fire Department

Patrick Dooley photo

Hartford Fire Department

Patrick Dooley photo

Hartford Fire Department

Patrick Dooley photo

Hartford Fire Department

Patrick Dooley photo

Eric Haak shares images from a 3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago on Christmas day in 2008

Here are some photos of a Christmas Day fire in a rendering facility in Chicago’s old stockyards area.  The fire broke out on the 3800 block of South Morgan just after noon and was quickly upgraded to a 3-11 as temperatures hovered in the teens.  The fire was contained to one section of the plant and the company remains in business today.  A Level I Hazardous Materials response was also given for this incident as well.  

 

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo