More on the 4-11 Alarm with the Mayday at 3536 W. Irving Park Road on Friday 10/30/15.

This from Steve Redick:

Took this in Friday,  I arrived shortly after the 3-11 was pulled. Fire was involving several stores in the cockloft area and rapidly spreading to other occupancies. The overhead view I supplied gives an idea of the construction and layout . 3 tower ladders, a Snorkel, and several multiversals and handlines were utilized. Collapse became a significant concern as the operations progressed. Hereis an assortment of photos to be followed by another email with some images of a fireground event that caused some injuries.

Steve

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big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Engine 56

Steve Redick photo

big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

big fire scene in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

More from Steve:

Later in the alarm a fireground event, described as a smoke explosion, backdraft  or possibly a collapse created a tremendous sudden push of smoke and heat from the building. I captured some images of conditions in the front of the building just as this occurred, and also got some images of the RIT deploying in response to a brief mayday that was declared. The east side of the building had an overhead door, and when the event happened a large rush of heat , smoke, fire, and air vented out of this opening, injuring 3 members. I believe all are ok, with some minor injuries. I don’t believe the RIT actually performed any actual rescue as the injured members were upright in short order. The WGN helicopter footage showed this event as it occurred … check it out at wgn.com. I personally think a large portion of the roof came down causing this rapid exit of fire gasses … mind you just my opinion … I am not qualified to truly judge what actually happened.

Steve

smoke explosion at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

smoke explosion at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

smoke explosion at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

smoke explosion at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

RIT team moves in at fire sene

Steve Redick photo

RIT team moves in at fire sene

Steve Redick photo

RIT team moves in at fire sene

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23

Steve Redick photo

firemen at fire scene

Steve Redick photo

More photos