This from Erick Haak:
Chicago had a still and box alarm at 8737 S. Constance this afternoon that resulted in several people being transported to hospitals, including firefighters.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Oct 28
Always a good opportunity for photos, firefighters from several north and northwest suburban departments recently received training for propane fires.
Tim Olk was at the training in Highland Park that involved Glencoe, Highland Park, Libertyville and Lake Bluff.
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Larry Shapiro was in Buffalo Grove where Wheeling, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Long Grove, Mundelein, and Libertyville took part in the training together.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
A gallery with more images is HERE.
A 2-1/2″ line is directed at the attached garage at 40 W. Strong in Wheeling. Larry Shapiro photo
Smoke pushes out of the attic as a firefighter flakes out another hose line. Larry Shapiro photo
A passerby called 9-1-1 this morning in Wheeling reporting heavy smoke coming from a house in the area of Strong Avenue and Wolf Roads. When companies responded, they reported a large header which was visible from Station 42 on Dundee Road. The first arriving unit reported fire in an attached garage of a single-family home and requested the alarm be upgraded to a Code 4 working fire.
Smoke obscures the area as firefighters attack the garage fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Wheeling Engine 42 was the first engine on the scene and had four lines off. Larry Shapiro photo
Residents were out of the house and firefighters attacked the fire with two 2-1/2 inch lines knocking down the majority of the fire in minutes. Two more lines were used as a company went into the house and the fourth went to another side.
Smoke pours out of the garage after the door failed. Larry Shapiro photo
A hand line is advanced from the front. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire was stopped before it was able to get into the house, though a significant amount of smoke permeated the living quarters.
Buffalo Grove Tower 25 went to the roof to ventilate. Larry Shapiro photo
Northbrook Engine 10, Buffalo Grove Tower 25, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Ambulance 52 responded for mutual aid.
Two lines are deployed into the garage opening. Larry Shapiro photo
Parts of the car continue to burn and firefighters wait for their line to be switched to foam. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro arrived within a minute of the first lines going into operation and still missed the heavy fire and smoke. He has submitted several images and will have more posted on his site.
This Corvette was destroyed in the garage. Larry Shapiro photo
Parts of the Corvette were manufactured with fiberglass. Larry Shapiro photo
What appears to be a commercial-style garage sustained heavy damage. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire in Wheeling on the 12th has a short video now that has been added
The photo gallery is HERE.
Shortly before 4AM on Thursday, the Wheeling Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from a homeowner stating that their garage was on fire. Wheeling fire units were dispatched at 4AM and received reports from a patrol officer that the detached garage was fully involved. Upon seeing the header en route to the scene, the alarm was upgraded to a working fire (Code 4) which brought a tower ladder from Buffalo Grove, an ambulance from Long Grove, and an engine from Arlington Heights.
A supply line is stretched to Engine 23 in front of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo
At 4:07, the first arriving unit found a large, 16×50 garage used for a commercial landscape business that was well involved. After viewing all sides of the building, command was notified about large storage drums, propane tanks, and an acetylene tank in or around the structure.
Pre-connects are pulled from the engine to put a third line into service. Larry Shapiro photo
The squad company prepares to go to work as a line is hitting fire in the rear. Larry Shapiro photo
Heavy fire burns throughout the structure in addition to the van out front. Larry Shapiro photo
Another hand line goes to work in front of the garage as firefighters cut access holes into the 'D' sector wall. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters using a 2 1/2" line attack the fire through the burned out section of the overhead door. Larry Shapiro photo
The crew of Buffalo Grove Tower Ladder 25 assembles their tools and equipment. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter prepares to put a Blitzfire nozzle to work. Larry Shapiro photo
Four lines were used to contain the fire which destroyed the garage, a skid-steer loader inside, and at least one vehicle parked outside. The head of the acetylene torch was damaged allowing the gas to burn freely. The building was packed with small machines and tools consistent with a landscape business.
A line is trained onto the open flame burning from a damaged acetylene tank. Larry Shapiro photo
A look inside the rear area of the garage shows a clutter of small machines, parts, and other associated tools. The flame from the open acetylene torch is in the back. Larry Shapiro photo
Wheeling Squad 24 (formerly Squad 42) is running since the tower ladder is out of service currently. Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro went to the scene and submitted these images. A gallery with more images can be found HERE.
A video from the scene will post later today.
For the finest department portraits and composites contact Tim Olk or Larry Shapiro.
