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All posts for the month May, 2014

Images from a Still & Box Alarm fire in Chicago’s 7th Battalion during September of 1989. As I arrived, I was afraid that I’d missed everything as the fire appeared to be out on the first floor. I was in the right place though when they vented the roof and void spaces that were charged.

 

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

Chicago firefighters on the roof of a house in the 7th Battalion in September of 1989. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

The 7th Battalion directs a firefighter as heavy smoke escapes the second floor. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

Smoke pushes into the gangway between the houses as a firefighter vents the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

Fire vents through the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

A fireman pulls the soffit as two others prepare to hit the fire from a ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

Firemen direct a stream into the second floor window. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

A handline goes to work from the front yard. Larry Shapiro photo

firemen battle a house fire with smoke and flames

After the heavy fire was knocked down, there was still fire in the void space behind the roofing material. Larry Shapiro photo

The original Snorkel, known then as a Giraffe, is shown here working this 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago. The unit was built in 1958 and delivered to the city for use as a tree trimmer. Note the tree guard above the cab. This image was taken before the boom was piped with steel, as the 3″ hoe line is lashed along the boom sections.

the original Snorkel fire truck working at a fire

5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago on February 20, 1959 at the Atlantic Paper Company at 2931 S. LaSalle Street. photographer unknown

Images from a 5-11 Alarm fire with 1 Special at 540 N. Orleans Street, February 9, 1965. The photographer is unknown

historic massive fire in Chicago  2-9-65

5-11 Alarm Fire with 1 Special Alarm at 540 N. Orleans Street in Chicago on February 9, 1965. Photographer unknown

historic massive fire in Chicago  2-9-65

5-11 Alarm Fire with 1 Special Alarm at 540 N. Orleans Street in Chicago on February 9, 1965. Photographer unknown

More historic photos from Chicago – the photographers are unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown

historic Chicago fire scene

Elevated train car fire in Chicago at 35th Street on October 18, 1962. Photographer unknown

I had the pleasure of spending the past 4 days with my wife down in Memphis, Tenn./Horn Lake, Mississippi with my close friends Bill Adelman and his fiancé who took us around on Friday along with our friend Ryan Smith. Here are some highlights of our day.

Part 1 is 2 fires we chased the first being an abandoned, 1-sty frame home with what looked like a fire in the back bedroom. The interesting thing about Memphis is that everyday there can be a brownout of companies due to a lack of the required manpower to run a company. Most if not all companies run with 4 guys total.

smoke from vacant house

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

smoke from vacant house

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis fire trucks at a fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis fire truck at a fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis fire truck at a fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

The 2nd fire was at 4886 Autumn Leaf Dr. which is a public housing complex with one way and one way out. The buildings are all 2-sty frames with a fire wall between each set of 2 units. This fire appeared to be in the kitchen involving the stove and needed only the first engine and first truck to handle

fireman with hose at fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Memphis firefighters

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

public housing complex near Memphis

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

fireman with positive pressure fan

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

fireman with hose at fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

fireman with hose at fire scene

Dennis McGuire, Jr. photo

Chicago major fires from 1956

massive fire in Chicago in 1956

Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire with 6 Specials at The Armour Company, 420 S. Packers on August 22, 1956. photographer unknown

massive fire in Chicago in 1956

Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire with 1 Special at 60 E. 51st Street on April 10, 1956. photographer unknown

massive fire in Chicago in 1956

Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire with 1 Special at 3959 S. Cottage Grove on April 8, 1956. photographer unknown

massive fire in Chicago in 1956

Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire with 1 Special at 3100 W. 17th Street on September 27, 1956. photographer unknown