Chicago responded to a commercial structure fire this afternoon at 2543 W. irving Park Road, just west of Western Avenue. The former home of Illinois Battery Mfg. was ablaze emitting thick black smoke which could be seen for miles. The first floor commercial occupancy was vacant but a second floor apartment was occupied. The Chicago Tribune has a brief article HERE. There were no injuries and a Level I Haz Mat was initiated out of concern for the contents of the building. Tower Ladder 21 and Squad 2’s Snorkel were using elevated master streams and there was a special call for Tower Ladder 23 which was not deployed.
Tim Olk, Steve Redick and Larry Shapiro were at the scene after the bulk of the fire was knocked down. Tim has a gallery HERE, Steve has a gallery HERE, and Larry has a gallery HERE. .
Firefighters on the lower roof work to gain access to a fire above the 2nd floor apartment. Tim Olk photo
A firefighter climbs to the roof to assist the other members of his company in hitting the visible fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters in Squad 2's Snorkel work to gain access and ventilate the second floor. Tim Olk photo
Tower Ladder 23 sits ready to deploy in Sector 3 but was never put to work. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters in the platform of Tower Ladder 21 deploy their master stream into the building. Steve Redick photo
Engine 56 was one of four engines working at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Tower Ladder 21 and Squad 2 both work from above to hit the fire. Steve Redick photo
A Fire fighter from Squad 2 steadies himself on a ladder while working in a second floor window with no visibility. Tim Olk photo
The firefighter from Squad 2 gets some air as water from above rains down. Larry Shapiro photo
A view from across the street shows firefighters and Squad 2 in Sector 1 as smoke pushes out of the second floor. Steve Redick photo
Squad 2, Tower 21 and Engine 112 work in Sector 1 on Irving Park Road. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter from Squad 2 is immersed in smoke escaping from the second floor. Steve Redick photo
Steve has a short video.
