The Countryside FPD received a call reporting a basement fire with explosions at 4 Keuka Court in Hawthorn Woods Saturday night (5/20/17). The homeowner stated that there were model cars with batteries in the basement which might have explained the explosive sounds. A moderate to heavy fog encompassed the area and firefighters arrived to light colored smoke escaping from the house.

The working fire was upgraded to a Full Still and the a Box Alarm for change of quarters companies only. Interior companies had difficulty locating the seat of the fire within the basement and the need for more substantial water supply required an upgrade to a Box Alarm for tenders. This incident occurred within the early stages of the 2-Alarm fire being fought by the Wauconda FPD in an adjacent district. As such, several of the units due to the Countryside fire were already committed at the Wauconda fire which required substituting companies from the next levels off the box card.

fire engine at night with hose off

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters prepare to enter a house as heavy smoke pushes from basement fire

Larry Shapiro photo

smoke pushes from everywhere as basement fire rages in a house

Larry Shapiro photo

firefighters prepare to enter a house as heavy smoke pushes from basement fire

Larry Shapiro photo

Countryside FPD Engine 411

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Spartan Evolution fire engine at night engulfed in smoke

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firefighters prepare to enter a house as heavy smoke pushes from basement fire

Larry Shapiro photo

fire truck silhouette at night

Larry Shapiro photo

As the fire grew in intensity and compromised a section of the first floor, all crews were ordered out of the building as the tactics changed to a defensive attack. The alarm was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm roughly 35 minutes into the incident. The fire was contained shortly thereafter allowing firefighters to reenter the house to extinguish the remaining hot spots.

The simultaneous extra-alarm fires resulted in some long responses to the fire in Hawthorn Woods including units from Northbrook, Antioch, Newport Township, North Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Prospect Heights, Zion, Fox River Grove, and the Great lakes naval Training Center. By one unofficial count there were eight tenders at this fire.

firefighters battle smokey house fire from outside

Larry Shapiro photo

heavy smoke pushes from house fire

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flames burn inside house

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firefighters fight basement fire from outside

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firefighter uses TIC to check for fire

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Mundelein fire engine drafting from a portable tank

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rural water supply at fire scene as engine drafts from portable tank

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos at Shapirophotography.net