The Schaumburg Fire Department received an automatic fire alarm before 6AM on Saturday which was follow by several 9-1-1 calls reporting smoke in the building at 1234 Valley Lake Drive. Engine 54 was first on the scene and connected to the standpipe system. Firefighters found residents in the lobby area and on upper floor balconies of the 7-story building. When they made the fire floor, they encountered heavy smoke and had to locate the unit that was on fire.
The 85-year old resident of the apartment that was on fire received burns to to her chest and was transported to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates before being transferred to the burn center at Loyola University Hospital.
Two lines were deployed and companies were able to confine the fire to the unit of origin. The alarm went to a 2-11 with a special call four five additional ambulances as a precaution. Schaumburg firefighters retrieved multiple residents that took refuge on their balconies to escape the smoke.
Larry Shapiro went to the scene and submitted several images.
Schaumburg Engine 52 was the second engine on the scene and took the front driveway with Ambulance 52, Battalion 5 and Truck 52. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg firefighters bring additional equipment into the building at 1234 Valley Lake Drive. Larry Shapiro photo
The fire unit was n the rear (west side) of the building on the fourth floor. Larry Shapiro photo
Investigators examine the fire unit before firefighters complete the extensive overhaul. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters rest on a 7th floor balcony after completing a secondary search of the units. Larry Shapiro photo
Two firefighters are assigned to the command post with the incident commander. Firefighters from mutual aid companies await an assignment after arriving on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg Engine 54 with lines charging the standpipe system. Larry Shapiro photo
The building suffered a broken water pipe which began flooding parts of both the interior and exterior areas near the pump room. Larry Shapiro photo
Schaumburg and mutual aid ambulances staged in a lot next to the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo
Mutual aid companies with trucks were Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, and Mount Prospect. Engines came from Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Palatine Rural, Buffalo Grove, Barrington, and Bloomingdale. Carol Stream was due with their two-piece squad company and ambulances on the scene were from Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Roselle, Bensenville, Wheeling, and Glenside. Chief officers responded from Arlington Heights, Palatine Rural, and Itasca.
Box alarm and 2nd alarm companies are staged on Valley Lake Drive. Larry Shapiro photo
The officer from Engine 51 returns a high-rise pack to the engine. Larry Shapiro photo
Firefighters from Schaumburg Truck 52 check their gear after coming out of the building. Larry Shapiro photo
The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE.
One woman who suffered second-degree burns on her chest was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates from the apartment where the fire started, Anderson said. The woman, age 85, was considered in critical condition and later transferred toLoyola University Medical Center for further treatment because of the severity of her injuries, said Schaumburg Battalion Chief John Steele.
Firefighters found heavy smoke on the fourth floor, but were able to keep the fire from spreading to the fifth floor, Anderson said. The fire started in the bedroom of to the injured woman’s apartment, and was largely confined to the apartment, but the fourth floor was damaged enough that residents in the 15 apartments there would not be able to return today, and were being helped with housing by the Red Cross, Anderson said.
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