a few images from the 2-Alarm fire in Hawthorn Woods, 5-20-17
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Posts Tagged basement fire creates huge amounts of smoke
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.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
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.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
more photos at Shapirophotography.net
Chicago had a 2-11 Alarm fire today at 1034 S. Kostner. The building consisted of a five-story section with a one-story area in the rear. Workers were disconnecting a storage tank in the basement which contained some sort of glue which ignited. The building began filling with smoke, and when companies determined what it was and that it was in the basement, everyone was ordered out and a PAR was conducted.
A Haz Mat Level I was requested along with the 2-11. 9-2-3, the MVU housed with Engine 106 was special called as was 8-8-11, the Mobile Oxygen Bus. There wasn’t any fire to see but lots of black smoke being pushed out of the building by the large fan.
Larry Shapiro and TIm Olk were at the scene. Some images are below.
Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Chicago’s reserve squad, lettered for the Chicago Fire tv show was in service for Squad 2. Larry Shapiro photo
THe smoke covered everything and everyone. Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Another dirty face after working inside. Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Squad 2 member after working in the building. Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
No shortage of dirty faces at this fire. Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
A fireman enters the Oxygen Therapy Bus. Larry Shapiro photo
Black smoke is forced out of the building from the MVU. Larry Shapiro photo
Engine 107 on a hydrant. Larry Shapiro photo
Oxygen Therapy Bus 8-8-11 at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
CFD MVU 9-2-3 working at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry has a large gallery with image HERE.
Tim has a large gallery with images HERE.
