Posts Tagged Chicago Engine 8

Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 specials 1-22-13 (pt 5)

Tim Olk submitted several images from the fire on Tuesday. Tim’s images show the earliest on-scene images as compared to the other contributors.

 

Chicago fire engine with ice

Chicago Engine 8 from Chinatown covered with ice. Tim Olk photo

firefighter with ice covered helmet

A firefighter coated with ice from the spray of the master streams. Tim Olk photo

Chicago fire engine at massive fire

Chicago Engine 47 pumping at the scene of the 5-11 Alarm warehouse fire. Tim Olk photo

fire chief at massive fire

A battalion chief surveys the fire from the turntable of Truck 18. Tim Olk photo

silhouette of firefighter

Silhouette of a firefighter on Truck 18’s ladder. Tim Olk photo

firefighter on ladder with fire

A line is taken to the roof of an adjacent building. Tim Olk photo

Pierce ladder truck at fire scene

Truck 18 on the Ashland Avenue overpass is setup to an exposure building. Tim Olk photo

fire department tower ladder at fire sene

Tower Ladder 39 surrounded by flying embers hits the fire with a master stream. Tim Olk photo

massive fire in warehouse at night

Phenomenal fire fully involving the entire structure. TIm Olk photo

Tim has a gallery with substantially more images.

Additionally, there are several images taken today (Wednesday) as companies remain on the scene.

Chicago Fire Department Snorkel

Chicago reserve Snorkel on Ashland Avenue in front of the ice covered ruins of the 5-11 Alarm fire. Tim Olk photo

ruins of massive warehouse fire in Chicago

A tower ladder works at the ruins of the 5-11 alarm fire. Tim Olk photo

ruins of massive warehouse fire in Chicago

Another tower ladder working the day after the fire was detected. Tim Olk photo

There is a separate gallery with follow-up images.

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Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 specials 1-22-13 (pt 3)

Larry Shapiro has posted a video from the 5-11 +2 specials

Tim Olk visite the ruins today and submitted these images showing some of the ice sculpture at the scene.

truck covered with ice

Frozen box truck at the scene of the 5-11. Tim Olk photo

ice covered truck

Another truck cab that was covered with ice and is located behind the fire building. Tim Olk photo

 

 

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Chicago 5-11 Alarm + 2 specials 1-22-13 (pt 2)

From Josh Boyajian:

Here are my pictures from last night!
large nighttime fire in CHicago

Tower Ladder 5 was in a spare apparatus last night. They were at the corner of Sectors 1 and 4. Josh Boyajian photo

big fire at night in Chicago

Sector 1 fully involved. Josh Boyajian photo

firefighter putting water onto huge fire

A deck gun in use from Engine 49. Josh Boyajian photo

firefighters work at nighttime fire

A view looking at Sector 1 from the Ashland Avenue Frontage Road. Josh Boyajian photo

master streams at fire

A multi-versal works by Engines 49 and 8, both of which are operating deck guns. Josh Boyajian photo

Chicago fire engine at large fire

Engine 29 from deploys a deck gun at 36th Street and the west frontage road of Avenue. Josh Boyajian photo

huge building on fire in Chicago

A view from underneath the Ashland Avenue bridge looking down 38th Street after a portion of the fire building collapsed. Josh Boyajian photo

From Jeff Rudolph:

Some pics from last night, Jeff R
large warehouse fire in Chicago

Huge fire seen in Sector 3 well after the interior collapsed. Jeff Rudolph photo

firefighter covered with ice

A firefighter from Engine 8 coated with ice. Jeff Rudolph photo

firefighting Snorkel silhouette

Squad 1A with a master stream in Sector 3. Jeff Rudolph photo

large warehouse fire in Chicago

Truck 33 with an elevated master stream in Sector 3. Jeff Rudolph photo

black and white photo of fire engine covered with ice

Engine 8 icing up in Sector 1. Jeff Rudolph photo

large fire scene silhouetted firefighters

Firefighters on Truck 33 in the rear. Jeff Rudolph photo

 

ABC Chicago has an article HERE.

A Chicago Fire Department spokesman said a southside warehouse that caught fire Tuesday night will be a total loss.

“Totally involved. … This is a major fire,” read a message posted to Twitter at about 9:50 p.m. Moments later there was a message that a portion of the structure had collapsed.

Firefighters were in “defensive mode” in attacking the fire in a building on the 3700 block of South Ashland Avenue, spokesman Larry Langford said.

But despite his initial, confident remark that the fire would be isolated, flames spread to at least one nearby building. The owner of a printing company, at 3801 S. Ashland Ave., was on the scene and expressed concerns about chemicals inside that could explode.

 

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Chicago Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE (part 3)

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The following is the third of a 3-part series from Dave Weaver, organizer of the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show  www.EmergencyVehicleShow.com

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Details about the Engine 17 rig developments are being discussed on the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show Facebook page. Interested potential buyers can send a private message to Facebook.com/ChicagolandEmergencyVehicleShow or to the comments section of this post.
Chicago Fire Department engine from the movie Backdraft

CFD Engine 69 with numbering for both Backdraft Engines 17 and 51. Tom McCarthy photo

Where they went…
  • 80-287/D-372 E126 – rehabbed to E122 – Crushed in Blue Island in 1994
  • 80-288/D-373 E73 – to E103 4/2/81 – (not rehabbed) – Crushed at Cicero Iron in 1984
  • 80-289/D-374 E8 – rehabbed to E17/51/69 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 8/28/96
  • 80-290/D-375 E106 – rehabbed to E113 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 9/4/96
  • 80-291/D-376 E22 – rehabbed to E46 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 9/9/96 (crushed)
  • 80-292/D-377 E113 – this rig then saw a lot of action as a Shop’s spare at T61, O’Hare, E34, E19, E109, and E72 – rehabbed to E14 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts 8/29/96
  • 80-293/D-378 E49 – rehabbed to E34 – Sold to a private party – Sold to PA FD
Chicago FD engine used in the movie Backdraft

Engine 17 on 4-4-2004.

E17’s current condition…
  • The owner estimates that 75% of the rig is there with 20% of the parts needing to be purchased and 5% of the parts needing fabrication.
  • It has a complete Cummins NTF 365 Turbo-Diesel (365hp @ 2300 rpm).
  • It is missing an Allison HT70 6-speed overdrive transmission.
  • It is missing $1,100 worth of copper radiator cores – originally Mesabi radiator of MN
  • It has a Hale Q-2 2,000-GPM pump that is non-functional, but comes with a replacement PTO gear box, some pump valves and pump gauges stripped from E14 that can be rebuilt by SPAN gauges in WI with period correct backings for $30/ea. and a new pump gasket set from Hale.
  • It has a 500-gallon water tank and a 140-gallon foam tank that was added during the refurb.
  • It has a 50-gallon diesel tank.
  • It is 35′ long with a 178” wheelbase.
  • The original grille was stripped from the rig but replaced by a top-notch reproduction.
  • It has its’ original deck gun.
  • It needs diamond plate and steel work but comes with the refurb blueprints from E-ONE.
  • It has original Imron paint but could be repainted with a close matching 68-69 Dodge red.
  • It includes 500 feet of 5-inch LDH.
  • It includes functional lights, sirens, horns, and a period correct Motorola radio.
    Chicago FD engine from the movie Backdraft

    Engine 17 photographed 9-15-2012.

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Chicago Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE (part 2)

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The following is the second of a 3-part series from Dave Weaver, organizer of the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show  www.EmergencyVehicleShow.com

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In 1990, X-Engine 8 (D-374) along with its sister rig X-Engine 106 (D-375), were part of the 2nd set of rigs sent to be rehabbed. They were the last two rigs to come back in June of 1990. D-374 and D-375 were both leased to the production company that created the movie Backdraft. D-374 was marked as Engine 17 from 7/90-2/91 and as Engine 51 from 10/90-2/91 (the rig whose hose bed saw “action” inside Engine 8’s house). During filming, the Engine 17 interior shots and the majority of the exterior shots were done using X-Engine 8. X-Engine 106 was also marked as Engine 17 during certain scenes. A way to tell the difference is that Engine 8’s interior had diamond plate and was painted gloss black, while Engine 106 had a flat black interior with no diamond plate. Another difference is that X-Engine 106’s siren speaker was mounted higher up in front of the windshield glass.
CFD engine from the movide Backdraft

The cab interior.

When filming was completed, D-374 was assigned to Engine 69 at 4017 N. Tripp Ave. Engine 69 was responsible for pumping out the basement of City Hall during the Great Flood of 1992.  It was part of Chicago’s short-lived super-pumper program, which carried four hard suction lines and 1000′ of 5″ LDH. Its’ 140-gallon foam tank was installed with expressway responses in mind. Engine 69 was taken out of service on 6/13/95. Engine 69’s transmission/PTO box was removed in order to keep Engine 34 in service after they blew out their gears while driving. On 8/28/96, Engine 69 was sold at auction and purchased by Erickson Trucks-n-Parts.  It was first shipped to their yard in Sturtevant, WI and it eventually arrived in their Jackson, MN bone yard in 1997. It was discovered there by its current owner in 1999. He eventually purchased it in 2003 and began its restoration.
CFD Engine from the movie Backdraft

Backdraft Engine 17 on the day it was purchased.

After filming, X-Engine 106 (D-375) was assigned to Engine 113. It also eventually was sold at auction to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts and made its way to the Jackson, MN bone yard to sit alongside Engine 69. Engine 113 is currently in the hands of a friend of Engine 69’s current owner, but it is in very rough shape and might possibly end up as a parts rig for the Engine 17 project. Engine 14 (X-E113) also ended up in Jackson, MN. It was completely stripped of salvageable parts, had its cab chopped off, and then shredded.
CFD engine from the movie Backdraft

December 20, 2003.

Engine 34 (X-Engine 49), which never saw time in Backdraft, was made into an Engine 17 clone before being sold in 1999 or 2000 to the East Norwegian Twp. PA FD where, until recently, it had been incorrectly touted as authentic. That rig was spotted for sale online stripped of it markings a couple of years ago and its current whereabouts are unknown.
CFD engine from the movie Backdraft.

Rear jump seat behind the officer.

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Chicago Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE (part 1)

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The following is the first of a 3-part series from Dave Weaver, organizer of the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show  www.EmergencyVehicleShow.com

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Chicago Fire Department Engine 17 on the set of the movie Backdraft

Chicago Fire Department Engine 17 on the set of the movie Backdraft. (X-Engine 69).

Engine 17 from the movie ‘Backdraft’ is for sale. A private collector in Minnesota has decided to let his project go for $6,000 with the condition that it receives a Chicago homecoming in the hands of the individual or group that is most capable of completing the restoration, and willing to make the rig available for parades and shows such as the Chicago Fire Academy Muster and the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show. As of 9/19, there are several potential buyers who have offered to take on the project, but nothing is finalized yet.
 During the course of researching the history of this rig I have put together some notes…
Chicago purchased seven, 1970 Ward LaFrance engines on the P80 Ambassador chassis. These carried WLF VIN#s 80-287 to 80-293. They were shipped from Elmira Heights, NY on 6/30/70, and arrived at the CFD shops on 7/2/70 to begin prepping for assignment.
1970 Ward LaFrance Ambassador pumper assigned to Chicago Fire Department Engine 8

Steve Redick photo

 The engine with VIN# 80-289 was given CFD shop #D-374. It was originally marked as Engine 103 and delivered for service on 12/8/70, but the doorway was too narrow for the massive engine to pass through it without folding back the mirrors. It was reassigned to Engine 8 the next day at 212 W. Cermak Rd. in Chinatown, where it served until 1982.  It went to the CFD Shops for rehabbing from 9/2/80 until Feb 1981. In 1982, D-374 became a Shop’s spare.
 In 1989, the CFD sent the first set of 1970 WLFs to be rehabbed. They were sent to Able Fire Equipment Co., an Emergency-One dealer, in Frankfort. (Able later became Mid-America Truck in Elmhurst) The front of the engines received a Ranger cab manufactured in Rhode Island (now out of business). The back half was a classic E-ONE job.
Chicago Fire Department Engine 69

CFD Engine 69 after the rehab in 1995.

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CFD apparatus history – Ward LaFrance (1970)

Bill Friedrich has initiated the first in a series of posts chronicling different types of apparatus that saw service in Chicago. The first post covers the Ward LaFrance engines from 1970.

There were a total of (7) P80’s delivered in 1970, one for each district. Companies that received these were Engine 126 (D-372), Engine 73 (D-373), Engine 8 (D-374), Engine 106 (D-375), Engine 22 (D-376), Engine 113 (D-377) and Engine 49 (D-378). These units had 2,000-GPM pumps.
Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 1970 Ward LaFrance Ambassador

Chicago Engine 113 was one of 7 units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance with the Ambassador chassis, a 2,000-GPM pump, and 500 gallons of water. Bill Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 22

This unit originally assigned to Engine 22 later went to Engine 99 and then to Engine 46 after a complete refurb. The CFD scramble on the door and the red unit number on the front were not part of the original graphics. This unit, damaged by a wall collapse, was rebuilt. Shown here after the rebuild, the cab is lacking the continuous hand rail at the canopy that extended up the sides and across the top. Additionally, the red section above the pump panel is not how this series was delivered to the city. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 73

Engine 73 was assigned shop #D373 that was eventually scrapped. This was the only 1970 Ward LaFrance that was not later rebuilt. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 126

Engine 126's rig (shop #D-372), shows the full height polished metal behind the pump panel.. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 106

Engine 106 received one of the seven units built in 1970 by Ward LaFrance. The original graphics only included the Chicago Fire Department name above the windshield. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 8

This photo of Engine 8 in Chinatown shows the unit when it went into service. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department 1970 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador engine 49

Engine 49 is seen here on the fireground. Jack Connors photo

In 1990 (6) of the original 1970 P80’s were rebuilt by Able Fire Equipment Co. at their Frankfort, IL facility. The rebuild included a Ranger 4-door cab, a new aluminum Emergency One body, a 140-gallon foam tank, and other components of the original apparatus. The following companies received these vehicles;  Engine 122 (x-Engine 126), Engine 69 (x-Engine 8), Engine 113 (x-Engine 106), Engine 46 (x-Engine 22), Engine 14 (x-Engine 113) and Engine 34 (x-Engine 49)  All these vehicles were equipped with 5″ hose. One was assigned in each district of the city. Two of these, D-374 and D-375, were used in the movie Backdraft.

Chicago Fire Department Engine 113 Ward LaFrance Ranger

Engine 113 with a rebuilt 1970/1990 Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE engine. Bil Friedrich photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This unit (D-378) for Engine 34 was formerly assigned to Engine 49. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Engine 14 Ward LaFrance

Chicago Engine 14 also received one of the rebuilt Ward LaFrance engines in 1990 that had an extended bumper with LDH. Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 122 received one of the 1973/1990 Ranger/EONE/Ward LaFrance refurbished engines. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

Engine 69 received shop #D-374 which was later used in the movie Backdraft. Jack Connors photo

Chicago Fire Department Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador pumper Ranger cab

This shot of Engine 46 working at a fire scene provides a look at the officer's side of the rebuilt units. Jack Connors photo

 

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Chicago Chinatown house update

Dan McInerney submitted images of Engine 8 and Truck 4’s house in Chinatown. The house has squared off doors, whereas the image currently on the web site shows the original arched doors.

Chicago Firehouse Chinatown

A current of Engine 8 and Truck 4's house in Chinatown with the new doors. Dan McInerney photo

Chicago firehouse in Chinatown

The original doors on Engine 8 and Truck 4's house on 18th Cermak in Chinatown. Hank Sajovic photo

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Chicago Still & Box 5-17-11

Steve Redick took in a Still & Box Alarm last night at 3636 Grenshaw. The fire originated on the back porches of a three-story 6 flat unit which appeared to be vacant. Engine 107 was the second engine in and was ordered to the rear where they opened up with their deck gun to knock done the bulk of the fire before taking a hydrant at the end of the alley.

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box alarm fire Grenshaw 5-17-11

Truck 48 laddered the roof in the front of the building on Grenshaw. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box alarm fire Grenshaw 5-17-11

The fire burned the deck area on one side of the back porches and traveled along the roof deck. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box alarm fire Grenshaw 5-17-11

Engine 38 was the first due engine and took the front of the building. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box alarm fire Grenshaw 5-17-11

Engine 107 hit the fire with the deck gun before securing a hydrant at the end of the alley. Steve Redick photo

Chicago Fire Department Still & Box alarm fire Grenshaw 5-17-11

Heavy charring can be seen from the upper deck. Steve Redick photo

Steve has a small gallery HERE.

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Chicago 2-11 on 12/7

Chicago had a 2-11 alarm fire yesterday on the near south side prior to the Leyden fire. Jeff Rudolph was at that scene which was over rather quickly. Before he went to the Leyden fire, he took several photos and submitted these. The fire was at 1500 33rd st.

Chicago 2-11 alarm fire on 33rd street

Engine 39 on-scene at the 2-11 alarm yesterday. This is a 1999 HME Luverne engine. Jeff Rudolph photo

Chicago 2-11 alarm fire on 33rd street

Squad 1 is shutting down their master stream as the fire is knocked on 33rd Street yesterday, In the background, a reserve tower ladder 's master stream is still in operation. Jeff Rudolph photo

Chicago 2-11 alarm fire on 33rd street

Engine 8 was pumping at the fire as well. Their unit is a 2002 Spartan Luverne. Jeff Rudolph photo

Chicago 2-11 alarm fire on 33rd street

Squad 1 uses their Snorkel unit for an elevated master stream. The 55' Snorkels have been a fixture with the Squad companies in Chicago for many years. Their fate is unknown as American LaFrance, the owner/manufacturer of the Snorkel, no longer offers the product. Jeff Rudolph photo

Chicago 2-11 alarm fire on 33rd street

Of the 96 engine companies in Chicago, roughly 15 still still run with these HME SFO/Luverne engines that have a much shorter wheelbase. Here, Engines 39 (1999) and 28 (1997) are pumping side by side at the 2-11, which is somewhat of a rarity. Jeff Rudolph photo

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