Archive for March 4th, 2021

Double fatal fire in Chicago, 2-28-21 (more)

Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:

A fire that killed a mother and her young daughter on Sunday has been ruled an arson, and the deaths have been ruled homicides.

Ieashia Ford, 34, and her daughter Porche Stinson were among six people pulled from a burning home in the 8600 block of South Hermitage Avenue early Sunday morning. Family said Porche was 10, but the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said she was 15.

Tuesday afternoon, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office said an autopsy determined Ieashia and Porche died from inhalation injuries due to inhalation of products of combustion due to house fire due to arson. Both deaths were ruled homicides.

Police would not confirm published reports that detectives learned a man entered the house through the back yard, carrying a white plastic bottle of gasoline, which he spread on a back porch and lit on fire. The man then left the yard the same way he came in, and at least some of his actions reportedly might have been recorded by surveillance cameras.

The man remained on the run Tuesday night, as CPD searched for the suspected arsonist and killer.

Ieashia leaves behind one other daughter, two sons, and a grandchild.

 

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3-Alarm fire in Aurora, 3-2-21

From Aurora -IL Fire Department Facebook:

Release Date: March 2, 2021
NEWS RELEASE

Structure Fire

On March 2, 2021, at 06:58 a.m., Aurora Central Dispatch received multiple calls from bystanders stating that smoke was coming from a house in the 200 block of West Downer Place. A Box Alarm structure fire was dispatched that consisted of two engine companies, one truck company, two battalion chiefs, and a paramedic unit. Additional chief fire officers responded and, while en route, could see a large column of smoke in the distance and requested a 2nd Alarm.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a 3 ½-story, wood frame, multi-unit dwelling with heavy fire and smoke showing. Firefighters initially received a report that there was a person trapped on the upper floor. Firefighters from the engine company quickly deployed hose lines to attack the fire while the truck company’s fire crew made entry to search for victims.

The alarm was upgraded to a 3rd Alarm due to the structure’s size and heavy fire conditions. As other fire companies arrived on the scene, more hose lines were deployed to all building levels. While conducting a primary search for victims, they encountered high heat conditions and fire on all floors. During the search, no victims were found, and later it was confirmed by the homeowner that the building was vacant and is for sale.

Firefighters remained on the scene for 2 ½ hours fighting the fire. The fire was challenging to extinguish due to the building’s construction (balloon-frame). The fire easily traveled through the inside of the walls and quickly spread to all levels. Two separate times, interior fire crews were evacuated, and a defensive exterior fire attack began. Due to below freezing temperatures, icy conditions around the building caused a few firefighters to slip and fall. The fire was very labor-intensive due to the amount of overhaul needed to search for and extinguish the fire within the walls and ceilings.

A total of 40 firefighters responded to the incident. The building was deemed uninhabitable, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

large house on fire in Aurora IL

Aurora Fire Department photo

More photos found at E-ONE Fire Trucks (Official Site) @EONEFireTruck

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Commercial fire in Chicago, 3-3-21

This from Steve Redick:

Chicago Still & Box 748 W 61st Street

 

commercial building fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

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New mini-pumper for the Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue District

From Alexis Fire Equipment:

Alexis fire truck being built

Alexis Fire Equipment photo

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