Archive for April 16th, 2015

Haz mat Box Alarm in Berwyn, 4-16-15

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Berwyn police doing a well-being check Thursday discovered a decomposed body in an apartment rented by a doctor near MacNeal Hospital, a city official said … authorities are trying to positively identify the body, which appeared to be that of a man in his middle 50s. An initial investigation indicates the man committed suicide.

A maintenance worker at the building in the 3200 block of Oak Park Avenue called police about 10:15 a.m. Thursday (4/16/15) requesting a well-being check because no one remembered recently seeing the doctor who rented the unit and worked at the hospital. When police entered, they found the body and also saw two propane tanks inside. That prompted a call for a hazardous material response team, but police did not find any explosives or evidence that the tanks presented a threat.

thanks Dan

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Ford Heights cadet indicted for arson

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

A Ford Heights firefighter trainee and college student was indicted in a Cook County court Tuesday on three counts of arson for allegedly setting fire to three vacant houses in the village.

Kaumain Allen, 19, was arrested last month when a Cook County sheriff’s police officer, on patrol in Ford Heights, found him during a premise check at a vacant house on 15th Street. They said Allen told the officer the fire department had sent him to retrieve equipment that had been left behind, but police learned that the fire department had not done so or authorized Allen to be in the vacant house.

Sheriff’s police and the state fire marshal’s office had been investigating several fires in Ford Heights; 11 in vacant houses and two vehicle fires, since October. They have not said that Allen is a suspect in any fires beyond the three for which he is charged.

He said Allen also is accused of setting fires in the 1500 block of Congress Lane on Feb. 9 and March 3. In the first of those, he allegedly entered an abandoned house, poured gasoline on a pile of debris against a back wall and used a pocket lighter to ignite it, according to prosecutors.

They said that Allen on March 3 went to an empty house, ignited a road flare with a propane torch and threw the flare onto another pile of debris, starting the structure on fire.

If convicted, Allen could face three to seven years per sentence and could receive consecutive sentences for the three separate incidents, Campbell said.

Ford Heights Captain Edward Griffin said the department “never had any problem” with Allen, who began as a volunteer trainee early this year and remained active through his arrest.

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Box Alarm in West Chicago, 4-15-15

This from John Tulipano:

Wednesday at approximately 0625, the West Chicago FPD was dispatched to a dryer fire (not extended) at 704 Washington, in the General Mills Plant.Upon further investigation, companies found a dryer the size of several semi trailers end to end burning on the 3rd floor.Subsequent upgrades to a general alarm and than a MABAS box alarm for additional manpower. The fire was under control in about 45 minutes.

Not much to shoot from a photographers perspective.
fire trucks at fire scene

John Tulipano photo

Pierce fire engine with hose

John Tulipano photo

firemen at fire scene

John Tulipano photo

Pierce fire engine with hose

John Tulipano photo

fire chief with command board

John Tulipano photo

Pierce fire engine

John Tulipano photo

E-ONE fire engine

John Tulipano photo

fire chiefs with command board

John Tulipano photo

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