Archive for January 12th, 2016

Chicago FD LODD anniversary

This from Scott Peterson:

NEVER FORGOTTEN: January 12, 1951 – Chicago Fire Department, Multi-LODD warehouse fire
Lieutenant John Schuberth Engine 42
Firefighter John P. Gleason Engine 42
Firefighter Henry T. Dyer Engine 11
Chicago Insurance Patrol Firefighter Patrick Milott died a few days later of injuries sustained at the scene. Firefighters were fatally injured in an explosion and subsequent structural collapse while fighting a fire in a four-story office and warehouse building at 320 North LaSalle Street. Seven other firefighters and two civilians were injured by the blast.

The fire began in the lower levels of the 75 year-old building, before spreading through the elevator shafts to the upper floors. The fire was reported to the Chicago Fire Department around 2:04 PM, after which a 5-11 and subsequent special alarms were eventually ordered. The smoke and flames emitting from the structure could be seen for miles around and drew crowds of spectators to the scene.

After burning for thirty minutes, however, the fire caused a substantial explosion that toppled a wall onto firefighters operating hoselines on fire escapes and ladders in an alley outside the building.The special alarms brought 68 pieces of equipment to the site, including all but one of the department’s ambulances. In order to allow the fireboats to navigate the river, the LaSalle Street Bridge remained up for 54 hours as the fire burned.

More than 300 firefighters were on the scene and as many members of the local law enforcement worked to control the crowds. Firefighters stayed on the scene for several days as the fire reignited periodically in the rear area of the wreckage.The explosion was initially blamed on fifty-five gallons of lacquer thinner in storage on the fourth floor of the warehouse, but later investigations showed that the explosion had probably been caused by excessive dust circulating through the elevator shafts. Witnesses later confirmed that the dust contained combustible materials such as paint particles. Property damages from the fire were estimated at $1.5 million.

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Eight injured during 2-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 1-11-16 (more)

Excerpts from DNAinfo.com:

As firefighters fought a fire early Monday morning at a Rogers Park apartment complex, public records show a battle with the building’s owners had been brewing behind the scenes for years. The building at 1700-08 W. Estes Ave. has been inspected nine times over the past 10 years by the city and was cited for 39 violations during those visits. That includes three times since 2012 where investigators couldn’t gain entry to the building in order to make sure smoke detectors worked properly.

Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Jose Santiago said one firefighter Monday injured his shoulder after a set of stairs collapsed while crews were making their way to the third floor of the building.

In January 2010, the building was cited for failure to maintain interior stairway system in safe condition and sound repair because pickets were missing from the front staircase handrails.

Six other firefighters were injured in mostly ice-related incidents, and later Streets and Sanitation workers thickly salted the intersection of Paulina and Estes.

The building is registered to Cameel Halim, the agent for CH Ventures, LLC and Wilmette Real Estate & Management, LLC. Court records show Halim and his various real estate corporations have been sued dozens of times in Cook County civil and chancery courts in the past 24 years, including by the city of Chicago for building and environmental violations.

In November 2011, the courts ruled in favor of Centerpoint Energy Services, Inc., which was seeking $1.7 million from natural gas supplied to Hamil’s rental properties. In the suit, the energy provider alleged Hamil moved funds from Wilmette Real Estate & Management’s account to he and his wife’s personal account in order to avoid paying the judgment. The energy provider argued many of Hamil’s rental property corporations were shell corporations.

Jenira Torres, who lives along the 7106-12 N. Paulina St. side of the L-shaped property, said she was awoken by her distressed cat rather than her smoke alarm. Throughout the ordeal, she said neither the alarm in her apartment nor in her hallway or stairwell sounded. When she looked out her window, a ladder was standing directly outside with a firefighter headed up to the third floor above her.

Almost as soon as she opened her door, Torres said a firefighter appeared who told her to grab her things because the building was being evacuated. Torres said she never noticed any fire extinguishers in the building.

According to Chicago municipal code, “Fire extinguishers shall not be required in multiple dwellings not exceeding three stories in height and having a floor area not exceeding 3,000 square feet.”

Other violations cited by the city included several instances of rotting decks, window frames and doors, peeling paint, non-secured porches, water-damaged balconies, stagnant sewage in the basement, live rats, and open plaster in the basement ceiling.

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Oak Park firefighter dies after shift

This from IAFF Local 95 Facebook page:

It is with heavy hearts, we regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Firefighter/Paramedic Ken Harris. Please keep his wonderful family in your thoughts & prayers. Kenny, we miss you and that trademark smile and laugh already.

From Firehouse.com:

Firefighter/medic Kenneth K. Harris, 56, with the Village of Oak Park Fire Dept. died Monday after responding to a number of emergencies. He suffered an apparent heart attack after returning home.

Harris’ last call was less than an hour before the end of his shift.

He was found deceased at his home Monday night.

tribute to fallen firefighter

From the IAFF Local 95 Facebook page

tribute to fallen firefighter

From the IAFF Local 95 Facebook page

thanks Tom

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Winnetka buys new engine (more)

Pre-paint inspection at Smeal of the new engine for Winnetka

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

fire engine being built

Winnetka FD photo

thanks Alan

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Box Alarm in Cicero, 1-11-16 (more)

This from Drew Gresik:

Here are some of my shots from the Still & Box Alarm in Cicero on Monday.

firemen cent roof at fire with heavy smoke

Drew Gresik photo

firemen cent roof at fire with heavy smoke

Drew Gresik photo

aerial ladder working at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

Pierce Dash CF fire engine

Drew Gresik photo

fire trucks at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

fire engine with lose lines off

Drew Gresik photo

firefighter at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

aerial ladder at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

firefighter at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

E-ONE fire engine at fire scene

Drew Gresik photo

This from Code Photography:

Here are some photos and a video of the Box Alarm Apartment Fire in Cicero on 1-11-16 at 1401 51st Ct.

Companies arrived on scene with smoke showing from the eves and fire on the second floor. They initially went for an interior attack, vented the roof letting fire through the roof. At that point they had fire on the third floor, companies pulled out and went defensive requesting a box alarm with a special request for Forest Park’s tower.
firemen vent roof at fire with heavy smoke

Code Photography

fire through roof of apartment building

Code Photography

fire trucks at fire scene

Code Photography

fire trucks at fire scene

Code Photography

firefighters with hose at fire scene

Code Photography

fire trucks at fire scene

Code Photography

Code Photography
Joe Metcalf-Reyes

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Box alarm in Cicero, 1-11-16 (more)

Images from Tim Olk of the Box Alarm in Cicero at 1401 51st Court 1/11/16.

fire trucks at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

apartment building fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighters with hose at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

apartment building fire

Tim Olk photo

apartment building fire

Tim Olk photo

firefighters with hose at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

firefighters with hose at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

RIT at fire scene

Tim Olk photo

firefighter rescues dog from fire

Tim Olk photo

Gordon J Nord Jr

Tim Olk photo

firefighters after battling a fire

Tim Olk photo

more photos at firescenes.net

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