A fire that began in the garage extended into the house at 23170 N. Church in Barrington. Larry Shapiro photo
The Barrington Fire Department received a call from residents reporting fire in the garage of their home at 23170 N. Church around 9:30PM on Wednesday. When the first unit which was Barrington Engine 363 arrived on the scene, they found a well-involved garage fire attached to the house.
Lake Zurich Engine 2 dropped 400' of supply line from Barrington Engine 3 to the end of the street. Larry Shapiro photo
They were followed almost immediately by Lake Zurich Engine 2 who made a u-turn in the dead-end cul-de-sac and laid 400′ of 5-inch supply line to the corner. One of Barrington’s tankers dropped their portable tank and the water supply was established as companies went to work advancing two lines through separate doors of the house. The building was constructed on a hill with one-story in the front and two-stories on the side.
Lake Zurich Engine 2 drafts from a portable tank at Church and Main as Long Grove Tanker 55 refills the tank. Larry Shapiro photo
Barrington requested a MABAS Box Alarm later which brought tankers from Wauconda, Fox River Grove, and East Dundee to supplement the two Barrington tankers and Long Grove Tanker 55. Palatine responded with Truck 85 and engines came from Hoffman Estates, Palatine Rural, and Carpentersville. Rolling Meadows filled in for a company that was not able to respond with an ambulance, and Cary Squad 255 was on-scene implementing a light tower for scene lighting. Chief officers came from Long Grove, Wauconda, and Carpentersville.
Barrington Engine 3 was in the cul-de-sac and supplied three lines total. Larry Shapiro photo
The house was built into a hill leaving two floors on one side and only a first floor in the front. Larry Shapiro photo
A Carpentersville company hits hot spots in what is left of the garage that was totally destroyed. Larry Shapiro photo
The extensive damage to the rear of the house is not evident from the street. Larry Shapiro photo
Cary Squad 255 was in the street and deployed a light tower providing scene lighting. Larry Shapiro photo
Cary firefighters mop up along the outside of the garage foundation. Larry Shapiro photo
The outline of a firefighter is silhouetted in the smoke. Larry Shapiro photo
The family dog perished in the house but all residents evacuated safely.
The Box Alarm was struck out shortly after 10:30PM.
Larry Shapiro arrived at the scene after the fire was extinguished and submitted these images. More can be viewed HERE.
#1 by Mike Beltowski on April 22, 2012 - 6:26 PM
The fire department did an awesome job especially the Lt. Art Thompson of the Barrington Fire Dept. He was a God send especially over the following days helping us sort through the destruction and helping us with moving. The Beltowski family will never forget you.
Mike Beltowski
Upper Unit
#2 by Miguel A Sanchez on April 10, 2012 - 10:03 PM
I would like to thank all the firemen and police officers that helped to control this fire and saved our home in the first floor.
Thanks again and God bless.
Miguel