historical photos of Chicago Fire Department

All posts tagged historical photos of Chicago Fire Department

Historic Chicago 5-11 Alarm fire – April 15, 1989

Posted by firescenesadmin on December 5, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, HISTORIC FIRES. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 comment

I starting scanning old 35mm photos of fires I have been to over the years and came across these.

This is the River North Art Gallery Fire at 361 W. Superior St. on April 15, 1989. This fire was a 5-11 and either one or two specials. I heard Aerial Tower 3 box it, grabbed my camera and headed for the fire. By the time I got downtown the fire was already a 4-11.

Jim Skrabel, Darien-Woodridge F.P.D.

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Jim Skrabel photo

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Jim Skrabel photo

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Jim Skrabel photo

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Jim Skrabel photo

massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Jim Skrabel photo

Chicago 5-11 Alarm at 1520 S Indiana – March 17, 1974

Posted by firescenesadmin on May 6, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, HISTORIC FIRES. Tagged: , , , , . 4 comments

Images and a map depicting a 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago at a cold storage warehouse that occurred 3/17/74.

information from historic 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago

Provided by Chuck Bleck

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

historic fire scene in Chicago

Eric Haak collection

information from historic 5-11 Alarm fire in Chicago

map by Chuck Bleck

Historic Chicago fire photos

Posted by firescenesadmin on April 8, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, HISTORIC FIRES. Tagged: , , , , . Leave a Comment

From the collection of Steve Redick:

April 12, 1953,  5-11 with many dead, Haber Corporation 908 W North Ave

historic deadly fire in Chicago

April 12, 1953 5-11 with many dead Haber Corporation 908 W North Ave . Steve Redick collection

March 13, 1965,  2-11 at Fulton & Damen in Chicago

classic 1965 Chicago fire scene

March 13, 1965, 2-11 at Fulton & Damen in Chicago. Steve Redick collection

Vintage Chicago fire scene from the 1950s

Posted by firescenesadmin on March 20, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, HISTORIC FIRES. Tagged: , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

These images were taken around 1950 by an aspiring photographer whose last name was Augustyn but I do not have a first name.

The fire was on the Northeast corner of Diversey and Pulaski on the same lot as the Walgreens that is next to Engine 91’s house.  The fire was in the Rainbo Lanes Bowling Alley.  The truck closest to the building is Truck 35 and the one with its aerial up looks like Truck 13 although it is hard to read.  The Water Tower is #2.  Hope you enjoy them.

Eric Haak

classic photo of Chicago firemen working circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

classic photo of large fire in Chicago circa 1950

Rainbo Bowling Alley fire in Chicago circa 1959. photo by Augustyn

classic photo of Chicago firemen working circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

antique fire truck in Chicago circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

Chicago FD classic water tower at fire scene

photo by Augustyn

classic photo of large fire in Chicago circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

classic photo of Chicago firemen working circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

classic photo of Chicago firemen working circa 1950

photo by Augustyn

Chicago 5-11 Alarm at 1520 S Indiana in 1974

Posted by firescenesadmin on January 30, 2015
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, HISTORIC FIRES. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

I returned from Arkansas with a lot of my dad’s collection. One of the things he had displayed on his wall was a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a 5-11 he and I were at in 1974. This was a cold storage warehouse and I recall it burned for days. I also remember at some point the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure causing the transmission of another extra alarm. We took it in well after the initial alarm and toured the fireground getting these shots of some classic rigs in action. The image with Big John in the background is probably one of the few images you will see with both guns working. Most times they couldn’t muster up the water supply to use both. Also note the 2000-GPM LaFrances often used both ports on the hydrant. They had an order that no other pumper was to share a hydrant with a 2,000-gallon rig, thus giving them the ability to use both steamer ports.

These photos were in horrendous condition … colors way off and faded. I was surprised at how much of the damaged images I was able to restore. They are far from perfect but at least they are now useable. I bet if I made them B&W they would be near perfect. Enjoy the history.

Steve Redick

Big John turret wagon working at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Seagrave fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

American LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Ward LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Seagrave fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Mack Pirsch fire truck at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

American LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Ward LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

Ward LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo

American LaFrance fire engine at Chicago fire scene

Warren Redick photo