The Wheeling Fire Department received a call around 9:15PM reporting a fire in one unit of a four unit townhouse at 1315 Exeter Court. A workman had been sweating pipes and fire broke out in the 2nd floor bathroom of a unit under renovation. Before firefighters arrived, the police department advised of one fully involved unit in the building. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 Working Fire while units were still en-route. The initial response was reduced as both Wheeling ambulances were tied up so Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights were called for ambulances prior to the Code 4 upgrade.
Larry Shapiro got to the scene with the first units and submitted several images and a video.
Firefighters make their initial entry through the front door of the fire unit. Immediately inside the door is a set of stairs leading to the living quarters which are entirely on the second floor. Larry Shapiro photo
When the confirmed fire report came in from the police on-scene and the alarm was elevated, this brought Buffalo Grove Tower 25, Arlington Heights Engine 4, and Northbrook Engine and Ambulance 10 in addition to two Wheeling engines and the Wheeling truck that were already en-route.
Smoke pushes out of the attic and second floor as firefighters hit the fire in the bathroom. This was ignited by a worker sweating pipes while remodeling. Larry Shapiro photo
The driver of Engine 42 pulls 5" hose from the bed as another firefighter drags the line to a hydrant. Larry Shapiro photo
Low hanging smoke permeated a large section of the housing complex making it initially difficult for the first engine to locate the fire building. As they got to the building, heavy smoke was filling the entire unit and fire was visible through the roof near the bathroom vent. The workers were attempting to extinguish the fire with a garden hose when firefighters arrived.
Flames are visible burning through the roof above a second floor bathroom. Two separate units accessible from this side of the building have first and second floor living space. Larry Shapiro photo
A Northbrook firefighter stretches a third line which will be used to protect an exposure unit if the fire spreads. Larry Shapiro photo
Three lines were stretched from this engine though only two were charged. The third line was ready to use in an adjacent unit but was not needed. Larry Shapiro photo
The damage here illustrates that if the call for the fire department would have been delayed, the fire would have spread to the adjacent units. The garden hose that was used by the workers is visible over the balcony railing in this image. Larry Shapiro photo
Two lines were used and firefighters did extensive overhaul in several of the attached units while checking for extension.
Additional images can be seen HERE.
