Newport Township FPD firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Wednesday morning on N. Mill Creek Road in Wadsworth, IL. The house was located at the end of a long driveway and was not visible from the wooded street.

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Arriving units were unable to see the fire  in the rear of the structure until they got all the way to the house. Since the area is without hydrants, the alarm was upgraded immediately to a Box Alarm, then to a 2nd Alarm shortly thereafter. One engine and a 75′ quint made it up the driveway and a relay operation was initiated from the street. Three portable tanks were used on the road as two engines supplied 5″ lines to the quint and the engine in the driveway.

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

As the fire overhead grew, companies had to pull out and resort to a defensive operation. Several hand lines and an aerial pipe were put into operation. Due to the water needs and the route tenders had to take to refill and return, the alarm was upgraded to a 4th Alarm for additional tenders.

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

Seventeen Illinois departments responded to the fire along with eight departments from Wisconsin. There were a total of 16 water tenders, two aerials, two squads, and five engines.