Posts Tagged lightning strike

Storms keep fire departments busy

Apr 17

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service Photos, Firefighters working | Comments off

This from Martin Nowak:

This picture was taken by someone for me. During the storms on 4/17/2013 around 5 P.M. near the intersection of 77th Street and Roberts Road in Bridgeview, lightning struck a transformer.

Transformer fire in Bridgeview.

This from Larry Shapiro:

Buffalo Grove firefighters were called to 414 Manchester Court just before 3PM for a reported structure fire. An apparent lightning strike caused a fire on the building’s exterior that extended slightly into the second floor. Here are a few images from the scene.

A firefighter strips facia from a ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

Damage was to the outside of the building. Larry Shapiro photo

Engine 26 was first on the scene and had two lines off. Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove Engine 26 on a hydrant. Larry Shapiro photo

Buffalo Grove Quint 27 going to the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Squad 26 and Tower 25. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: Bridgeview Fire Department Station 2, Buffalo Grove Fire Department, Buffalo Grove Quint 27, house fire in Buffalo Grove, Larry Shapiro, lightning causes house fire, lightning strike, Martin Nowak, transformer fire during storm

Several storm related fires

Jul 24

Posted by bgshap in Fire, Fire Department News | Comments off

Lighting from the recent heavy thunderstorm activity was blamed for several area suburban fires. Glencoe, Deerfield, Mt. Prospect, Elgin, and Naperville all had fires during the overnight storms. Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune articles describe the fires.

Two house fires, in Glencoe and Deerfield, early Saturday morning appeared to be caused by lightning strikes from the heavy thunderstorms that passed through the Chicago area Saturday morning, and a third blaze at a Mt. Prospect apartment complex could also be lightning-related.

The Glencoe home in the 500 block of Lincoln Avenue was a “total loss” …

… a Saturday morning fire that forced a Deerfield family from its home and resulted in one firefighter being hospitalized. The injured firefighter suffered chest pains and was taken to Highland Park Hospital and was in good condition … The Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District got a call about 2:01 a.m., arrived at the scene about three minutes later and had the fire out soon thereafter.

The Mt. Prospect fire, which drew firefighters from 16 different departments, was at the Colonial Green apartments, a 39-unit structure at 2024 W. Algonquin Road. The fire destroyed the attic and part of the third floor, (Mt. Prospect Fire Chief John) Malcolm said. All 75 of the building’s occupants got out of the building ..

Lightning also struck the steeple at Vineyard Christian Church, 200 Division St., in Elgin, Saturday morning, according to a news release from the Elgin Fire Department.

A lightning strike spawned by a severe thunderstorm started a fire that caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to a Naperville home but injured no one …

The compete articles can be found HERE and HERE which cover these fires in more detail.

Tags: Deerfield Fire Department, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District, Elgin Fire Department, Glencoe Fire Department, Glencoe Public Safety Department, house fires during severe thunderstorms, John Malcom, lightning causes house fire, lightning strike, Mount Prospect FIre Department, Mt. Prospect Fire Chief John Malcom, Mt. Prospect Fire Department, Naperville Fire Department, suburban house fire

Winthrop Harbor Box Alarm 6-9-11

Jun 9

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Fire Service News, Reader submission | 2 Comments

Winthrop Harbor Fire Department house fire 6-9-11 12th Street

Firefighters perform overhaul after extinguishing a roof fire at 11905 12th Street in Winthrop Harbor Thursday morning. Jeff Rudolph photo

Jeff Rudolph took in a fire this morning in Winthrop Harbor, in MABAS Division 4 and submitted the following information and photos:

Winthrop Harbor had a box this morning around 0800 for a fire at 11905 12th St. Fire was on the roof of a 1.5 story house, possibly from lightning. Zion Quint 1832 was first in and made the attack. Winthrop Harbor Engine 1711 laid in a supply line. Auto aid was from Newport, Beach Park, and Zion. The box was struck out quickly and companies returned enroute except for North Chicago, and Pleasant Prairie,WI.

Zion Quint 1832 was the first unit on the scene and made the fire attack. Jeff Rudolph photo

Winthrop Harbor Engine 1711 supplied water to Zion Quint 1832. Jeff Rudolph photo

Beach Park Engine 1222, a 2008 Seagrave Maurauder II responded to assist. Jeff Rudolph photo

Firefighters examine the fire damage which may have been caused by a lightning strike at this house on 12th Street during heavy storms this morning. Jeff Rudolph photo

North Chicago Engine 1514, a 2010 Pierce was staged down the street. Jeff Rudolph photo

Winthrop Harbor Quint 1731 was also staged on 12th Street. Jef Rudolph photo

Zion ESDA brought their mobile rehab trailer to the scene. Jeff Rudolph photo

Winthrop Harbor's entire fleet consists of Seagrave apparatus. Engine 1712 was built in 1999. Jeff Rudolph photo

Tags: Beach Park Fire Department, house fire, Jeff Rudolph, lightning strike, MABAS Division 4, North Chicago Fire Department, Pierce quint, roof fire, Seagrave Maurauder II, Winthrop Harbor Fire Department, Zion ESDA, Zion Fire Department

Long Grove lightning strike 5-29-11

May 29

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Fire Service News | Comments off

During the height of the early afternoon storm system that passed through the Chicago area, fire departments in the northwest suburbs were quite active responding to lightning strikes. Within the span of less than an hour, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Countryside, Palatine, Long Grove, and Barrington Fire Departments all had lightning strikes within their districts. The Lincolnshire-Riverwoods call turned out to be a lighting strike with no fire, and the Palatine response was also a lighting strike with minimal damage. Countryside had smoke showing from a four-story residential building and upgraded the alarm to a working fire response before requesting a MABAS Box Alarm for change of quarters companies only.

Long Grove had a fire on Muirwood Court which they upgraded to a Code 4 alarm and during that incident Barrington went to a MABAS Box Alarm for a fire in Inverness. When the Long Grove fire came out, the Palatine incident was still going on as was the Countryside Box Alarm. As such, RED Center had to scramble a bit to get other companies to the scene which would normally include both Palatine and Countryside.

When Barrington upgraded their fire to a Box Alarm, they too had to find replacement companies for Long Grove and Wheeling, both of which were committed at the Long Grove fire. Two tankers and an engine due to Barrington were in Long Grove and were released to respond to Barrington as the Long Grove fire had been contained.

Larry Shapiro was at the Long Grove fire and submitted several images and a video.

Long Grove Fire Department house fire lightning strike Muirwood Ct 5-29-11

Fire was showing from the gable vent on the east side of the house when firefighters arrived. The fire was reported by a neighbor as the residents were away. Larry Shapiro photo

The area has only dry hydrants, the closest of which was over 2,000 feet away. Lake Zurich Engine 4 laid out their entire bed of 5" hose to reach this hydrant. Larry Shapiro photo

Long Grove relied on their squad with 1,000 gallons on board and the 3,000-gallon tanker before the supply line from Lake Zurich Engine 4 was charged. Larry Shapiro photo

Two cats were rescued from the home by Long Grove firefighters. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with more images can be found HERE.

Tags: Barrington & Countryside Fire Protection District, Barrington Fire Department, Countryside FPD, house fire, Larry Shapiro, lightning strike, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District, Long Grove Fire Protection District, Muirwood Court, Palatine Fire Department

Detached garage fire in Libertyville 5-22-11

May 23

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Fire Service News | 2 Comments

Libertyville garage fire First Street 5-22-11

Libertyville Engine 461 was the first on-scene to the garage fire and setup in front of the house. Larry Shapiro photo

During the late night storm on Sunday, Libertyville firefighters responded to a garage fire at 108 First Street around 11PM. Engines 461 & 463 arrived almost simultaneously since Engine 463 was already on the road. They found a well-involved detached garage with two vehicles inside. Countryside and Mundelein responded on the working fire along with several change companies to cover Libertyville stations. The fire was contained to the garage although the house plus one neighbor’s house sustained heat damage. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Libertyville Engine 463 took the alley behind the garage. Larry Shapiro photo

Libertyville Quint 462 was setup on Route 176 adjacent to the garage. Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro arrived at the scene well after the fire had been extinguished and submitted several images of the apparatus on-scene and the garage.

Firefighters wash down the remaining hot spots as they monitor the smoldering garage. Larry Shapiro photo

The front of the garage shows the damage and indicates the volume of fire that companies encountered on arrival. Larry Shapiro photo

The rear of the garage is intact showing that firefighters made a quick stop on the fire. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery with additional images can be seen HERE.

Tags: Countryside FPD, detached garage fire, Larry Shapiro, Libertyville Fire Department, lightning strike, Mundelein FIre Department

4-story roof fire in Glenview 5-22-11

May 23

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | 1 Comment

Glenview IL apartment building fire lighting strike Summit Drive 5-22-11

Northbrook Truck 12 went up on the northwest side of the building so firefighters could access the roof. The supply to Truck 12 was never charged. Larry Shapiro photo

The Glenview 9-1-1 center received calls for a fire at 2700 Summit Drive during a heavy storm after 10PM Sunday evening. Companies arrived at the four-story ‘L’ shaped building to find smoke and fire on the roof. The initial response included Glenview Engines 6 and 13, Battalion 6, Ambulance 6, Glenview Truck 14 which was using Engine 8R, and Northfield Truck 29. The alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 upon arrival which brought Glenview Engine 8, Glenview Ambulance 7, Northbrook Truck 12, and Morton Grove Squad 4. Northbrook Truck 12 was returning from a Code 4 fire in their district when this alarm came in.

Northfield Truck 29 was the first truck on the scene since Glenview Truck 14's company was running with a spare engine. Larry Shapiro photo

The damage to the roof can be seen here. The fire was knocked down quickly. Larry Shapiro photo

Both trucks put their main aerial to the roof and the fire was quickly contained to the area of origin.

Glenview Truck 14 was using Engine 8R which has more compartment space than the other reserve which better accommodates the equipment that is carried on the truck. Larry Shapiro photo

Tim Olk and Larry Shapiro went to the scene although there wasn’t much to see after the quick knock-down. Larry has a small gallery HERE.

Glenview Engine 6 was on the scene with their new Pierce Arrow XT engine. Larry Shapiro photo

Tags: apartment building fire, Glenview Fire Department, Larry Shapiro, lightning strike, Morton Grove Fire Department, Northbrook Fire Department, Northfield Fire Rescue, Pierce Arrow XT, roof fire, Tim Olk

Long Grove lightning strike 4-3-11

Apr 4

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | Comments off

As thunderstorms rolled through the northwest suburbs last night, the Long Grove Fire Department received calls for a lightning strike and fire at a home on Stayton Lane. The residents were at home at the time but were unaware that their house had been struck until neighbors came to the door to get them out of the house. First companies found flames at the roof peak where lightning had struck and created several holes. The fire was quickly extinguished but firefighters remained on the scene for a while until the roof could be inspected. The first truck on the scene was evidently unable to make the driveway at the end of the one-lane street with many trees, so a smaller quint was requested that would be able to setup in the driveway. Heavy rain and lightning in the area delayed the operation during several attempts to put firefighters at the tip of the ladder.

The area is without hydrants and gets three tankers on the initial response for any possible fire. The Palatine Rural Fire Department tanker refilled Long Grove’s tanker before being released from the scene. The Daily Herald has a brief article HERE.

Long Grove Fire Department Lightning Strike Stayton Lane

Long Grove Tanker 55 supplied water to Squad 55 since there are no hydrants in this area. Larry Shapiro photo

Evidence of the lightning strike along the gutter line and roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Palatine Rural Fire District Tanker 36 was one of three tankers called to the scene. Before being released, this tanker refilled Long Grove Tanker 55. Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro was at the scene and submitted several images. A gallery with more images can be found HERE.