The Evanston Fire Department received multiple calls for smoke in the area of Callan Avenue and Howard Street around 7PM on Thursday. The dispatchers upgraded the alarm to a Code 4 after receiving numerous calls reporting heavy fire in a building in the 100 block of Callan Avenue with people trapped. Evanston Engine 22 was the first to arrive at the three-story, brick, courtyard building and found heavy fire occupying the rear porches from the ground floor to the top. The officer upgraded the alarm to a MABAS Box Alarm immediately.

This image shows the fire on arrival of Evanston FIre Department units. Bill Muno photo

As firefighters got water on the fire, the porches began to darken down quickly. Bill Muno photo

White smoke replaces the flames as companies keep the fire in check. Bill Muno photo

Searches for trapped occupants were negative and the fire was contained quickly, but not before it extended into second and third floor units.

Evanston Now has an article HERE which states:

Sixteen residents were left homeless after fire broke out about 7 p.m. Thursday in a apartment building at 116 Callan Ave. in Evanston.

Fire Chief Greg Klaiber says the first fire companies to arrive found flames coming from second and third floor balconies at the rear of the building.

He says a mutual aid box alarm was sounded, bringing all Evanston fire units and a ladder truck from Skokie to the scene.

Klaiber says all residents of the five occupied apartments in the building managed to escape the building on their own. But the fire spread to second and third floor units in the building, causing extensive damage.

One elderly female occupant was treated on the scene for shortness of breath but was not transported. No firefighters were injured.

The fire was extinguished and struck at about 8 p.m. The chief says the cause is still under investigation.

Police victim’s assistance and American Red Cross workers were on the scene to find temporary housing for the building’s residents.

Tim Olk arrived after a quick knock down by Evanston companies and submitted several images from the scene.

Evanston Engine 21 was in the alley behind the building. Tim Olk photo

Evanston Engine 22 was the first engine and took the front. Tim Olk photo

Damage from smoke and fire can be seen all the way to the top of the building extending into the apartments on either side of the rear porches. Tim Olk photo

The fire spread quickly from the ground floor to the top floor. Tim Olk photo

The building was designed in a 'U' shape with a courtyard of Callen Avenue. Tim Olk photo

Evanston Truck 22, running with the spare rear-mount in place of their new TDA, went to the roof from Callan Avenue. Tim Olk photo

After exiting the building, an Evanston firefighter takes a minute to utilize water draining from a nozzle at the pump panel to cool himself down. Tim Olk photo

Damage at the base of the porches in what was apparently an area used for storage is extensive. Tim Olk photo

Tim has more photos in a gallery HERE.

Tags: apartment building fire, Bill Muno, Evanston Fire and Life Safety Department, Evanston Fire Department, rear porches on fire, Tim Olk