The Schiller Park Fire Department responded to a fire at the Horse Shoe Inn at 9639 Irving Park road before 4:00 this morning. The tavern is located a half block west of the fire station and arriving companies were met by thick smoke blowing across the street. Little fire was visible initially, but within minutes of the fire department’s arrival, flames were coming out of the front door. The fire was upgraded to a 2-11 bringing mutual aid from several neighboring departments in MABAS Division 20 including Franklin Park, Norwood Park, Leyden Township, Northlake, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Rosemont, and Stone Park.. Firefighters reportedly pulled a victim from the building with a gunshot wound to the head who was transported to the hospital by medics. The stubborn fire travelled through the older building requiring extensive overhaul and the alarm was elevated to a 3-11 shortly after 5AM bringing companies from Des Plaines, Melrose Park, Bensenville, and Park Ridge.

While this fire was active, the Maywood Fire Department, also in MABAS Division 20, requested a box alarm for a house fire in their town that occupied additional Division 20 companies.

A brief article can be found HERE and HERE.

Firegeezer.com has a thorough article on the fire HERE.

Steve Redick and Larry Shapiro both took in the fire and will have images to add later today.

Schiller Park Fire Department 3-11 at 9639 Irving Park Road Jan 27, 2011

Firefighters prepare to hit fire that is burning off the second floor of the Horse Shoe Inn at 9639 Irving Park Road in Schiller Park. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery of images by Larry Shapiro can be seen HERE.