This from Eric Haak:
The following images were taken just after noon on June 24, 1966. The fire was in the Western Lumber Company yard at 2732 W. Madison Street and was a 5-11 +2 specials. One of the great things about these old images is that they show what many of these areas once looked like. The wider angle views show Madison looking west just before California. A few years later, this area would be decimated by the 1968 riots. The other nice thing about this series of images is that it shows the early attack in the first picture and then the Snorkels being brought in by the last picture. In that last picture, the building on the left with the Rocky’s Grill sign on it is just about the only building left standing today. Nearly every other building you see in these images are a thing of the past.
From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown
From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown
From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown
From the collection of Eric Haak, photographer unknown
#1 by Eric Haak on September 14, 2017 - 6:22 PM
And one last note, the truck that has its aerial to the roof is Truck 26
#2 by Eric Haak on September 14, 2017 - 6:17 PM
And yes…. there is a snorkel in the alley in picture 3
#3 by Eric Haak on September 14, 2017 - 6:10 PM
If you look closely in picture two, it is actually the building next to the building in picture 3. It is the building that has the Fred Hampton mural on it today. In picture 2, it has curved windows, same as the building on Madison today. Either way, pretty amazing to think that most of it is all gone.
#4 by mike mc on September 14, 2017 - 4:48 PM
The three story apartment over a store is still there, although significantly remodeled. Looks like one of the snorkel squads is in the alley and another snorkel squad is on Madison Street between Snorkel 2 and the tiller truck. It looked a little hairy to advance hose lines in the building but risk vs. reward was judged differently back then. Photo 2 is also a classic example of how they would use the 85 foot spring raised aerials to access the roof and use ground ladders for rescues or access to the floors. Thanks for posting!