From John Tulipano:

Bloomingdale 2nd Alarm

On 5/29/12 approximately 15:00, Bloomingdale Fire District responded to a structure fire at 1839 Timber Lane, fire was in a 2-sty frame, 6-unit townhouse, 50X150. 2-units were involved, once fire was knocked down a gas leak continued and a 2nd alarm was called for manpower.

Firefighters apply water to the rear of a townhouse in Bloomingdale on Tuesday. John Tulipano photo

Bloomingdale Engine 3, their 2011 Pierce Impel pumper/tanker had lines off in front of the building. John Tulipano photo

Lombard Tower Ladder 52 was staged down the block. John Tulipano photo

A Glenside firefighter goes through rehab at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Carol Stream Deputy Chief Hoff at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Additional images are HERE.

Villa Park Fire & EMS Box Alarm

On 5/29/12 at approxiamtely 18:30, Villa Park received calls for a fire at the Villa Park VFW hall, 39 East St Charles Road. First arriving companies found smoke coming from the building and multiple injured civilians. Two lines were stretched into the basement where there was a gun range and reported explosion. Ten civilians were transported, three were critical. Companies on the General were Elmhurst Eng 2, York Center Sqd 77, Lombard TL52, and Northlake Trk 804. An EMS box was called bringing ambulances from Lombard, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Oakbrook Terrace. Fire was quickly knocked down in the basement.

Firefighters prepare a line before entering the VFW Hall in Villa Park. John Tulipano photo

A patient is taken to a waiting ambulance by Lombard paramedics. John Tulipano photo

Firefighters mask up prior to entering the VFW hall in Villa Park to fight a basement fire. John Tulipano photo

Paramedics take another patient to a waiting ambulance. John Tulipano photo

Nine people were injured, two critically, in a fire and possible explosion at a Villa Park VFW post apparently ignited by a welder working in a basement gun range during the post’s weekly bingo night this evening, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2801, 32 E. St. Charles Road in the west suburb, about 6:30 for a report of a fire and an explosion in the building, said Lombard Fire Department Battalion Chief Ronald Rakosnik, who is set to become Villa Park’s fire chief next month.

Nine patients were taken to area hospitals, two in critical condition, three in fair-to-serious condition, and the rest in good condition, Rakosnik said.

When firefighters arrived, they found many of those who had been inside with faces blackened with soot, after the quick-moving fire spread through the one-story building, Rakosnik said. Heat from a fast-moving fire like that in the VFW can cause damage to the lungs, Rakosnik.

The fire luckily ignited before bingo had actually started for the night, so fewer people were in the hall at the time than would have been an hour later, said those who were inside at the time.

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