Tim Olk submitted several images from the fire on Tuesday. Tim’s images show the earliest on-scene images as compared to the other contributors.
Chicago Engine 8 from Chinatown covered with ice. Tim Olk photo
A firefighter coated with ice from the spray of the master streams. Tim Olk photo
Chicago Engine 47 pumping at the scene of the 5-11 Alarm warehouse fire. Tim Olk photo
A battalion chief surveys the fire from the turntable of Truck 18. Tim Olk photo
Silhouette of a firefighter on Truck 18’s ladder. Tim Olk photo
A line is taken to the roof of an adjacent building. Tim Olk photo
Truck 18 on the Ashland Avenue overpass is setup to an exposure building. Tim Olk photo
Tower Ladder 39 surrounded by flying embers hits the fire with a master stream. Tim Olk photo
Phenomenal fire fully involving the entire structure. TIm Olk photo
Tim has a gallery with substantially more images.
Additionally, there are several images taken today (Wednesday) as companies remain on the scene.
Chicago reserve Snorkel on Ashland Avenue in front of the ice covered ruins of the 5-11 Alarm fire. Tim Olk photo
A tower ladder works at the ruins of the 5-11 alarm fire. Tim Olk photo
Another tower ladder working the day after the fire was detected. Tim Olk photo
#1 by joe doherty on January 24, 2013 - 9:10 PM
i need a run down of all companys at this fire
#2 by Tom on January 24, 2013 - 7:59 PM
What happened to the rest of the fleet of the 85′ footer snorkels (or however tall it is)? Did they all die? 6-6-1 looks in pretty awesome shape considering its age. Almost better than some of the old front line trucks & towers
#3 by scott on January 24, 2013 - 4:02 PM
I believe 6-6-1 has been the reserve snorkel since at least 1988… maybe longer. The Sqd co’s as of today (Sqd & snorkel) have been running the 55′ footers since about 1987-88. They had the Hendrickson snorkels with the Ford Cab-over & Mack cab body’s for the “pie” wagon before the Spartan Snorkels units and then the HME’s. I recall 1988-1992 fanning with the Squads and the older snorkels like 6-6-1 were only used when the Hendricksons or HMEs broke.
#4 by ENG 17 on January 24, 2013 - 3:25 PM
That is a great picture of the Snorkel in front of the iced over building. Gives one the feeling of an old black and white photo that’s been colorized. Great work by all the photographers!
#5 by DMc77 on January 24, 2013 - 12:11 PM
E35 usually takes the Spare Snorkel to fires but if they are out or already at the fire, T28 will take it. If both 35/28 are out another engine or truck (usually engine) will go pick it up, and a change of quarters engine or truck can also respond with it if called. If a truck company brings it out, the office will usually tell the command van that fact, so they can arrange for an engine on the scene to supply it.
#6 by KB on January 24, 2013 - 10:59 AM
Engine 35 must go out if the spare snorkel is called. Another example of this is that Engine 104 goes out when 6-7-6 was called for the 5-11.
#7 by Tom on January 24, 2013 - 9:47 AM
Which crew takes it? 35’s or T28’s? Do all 5 go out on it?
#8 by David on January 24, 2013 - 9:02 AM
The rig was purchased in 1982 and used for years as a regular snkl unit. It’s in reserve status for about 10+ years now (if I’m not mistaken) but still gets quite a lot of calls. I think Bill Post or somebody could add some more details.
#9 by Tom on January 24, 2013 - 8:41 AM
Its been getting quite a lot of work lately it seems.
#10 by spoung45 on January 24, 2013 - 8:32 AM
The reserve snorkel use to be an front line snorkel. Back when the city had quite a few stand alone snorkels.
#11 by jeff harkey on January 24, 2013 - 7:30 AM
Can someone provide a little history of 6-6-1, the Reserve Snorkel? Was it specifically purchased to be a reserve piece to be special called as needed?
Thanks.
#12 by Wayne on January 23, 2013 - 11:12 PM
Loving the day after, iced over pictures everywhere. The pictures of the actual fire are intense, it’s interesting to see the contrast.