Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

A 2-11 Alarm fire in Cicero on Saturday began in one of the second floor apartments and found its way into the flooring which ran under all of the units. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero fire companies responded to a fire at 5927 W. 35th Street Saturday afternoon. They found a two-story, 200×50 building with retail stores on the round floor and apartment units above. The fire was reported in one of the second floor units and extended into the wooden floor which was built up over a concrete sub-floor. The fire travel

Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

Oak Park Engine 603 responded with one of their two new twin 2010 HME Ahrens Fox pumpers. Larry Shapiro photo

led laterally through the floor to the adjacent units and proved difficult to access. A Box Alarm was requested for mutual aid companies almost immediately which was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm sometime later as the challenging task of getting at all of the fire increased. Mutual aid came from Stickney, Berwyn, North Riverside, Oak Park, Forest Park, Lyons, and Bedford Park. Many companies with multiple saws went to work in the apartments to remove floor sections so firefighters could get at and extinguish the fire. All of the residents were able to escape unharmed, but two Cicero firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

The fire traveling underneath the wooden floor boards produced very smoky conditions for Lyons firefighters seen here on the second floor balcony. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

A Cicero firefighter gets some fresh air after working inside one of the apartments charged with smoke. Larry Shapiro photo

Tim Olk, Steve Redick, and Larry Shapiro took in the fire and have photographs and video to share. A gallery of images by Larry Shapiro can be viewed HERE.

The Chicago Tribune has a brief article HERE.

Fire investigators believe the fire started upstairs in one of the apartments. Officials do not believe the orgins of the fire were suspicious but Hanania said officials will continue their investigation on Sunday.

The Chicago Sun-Times has a brief article HERE.

The fire began about 1:30 p.m. at 5927 W. 35th St. in a building that includes eight apartments and six storefronts. It was then raised to a 2-11 alarm, according to town spokesman Ray Hanania. The fire began in an upstairs apartment.

Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

All four of Cicero's E-ONE units are visible in this shot looking east on 35th Street from the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

Cicero Fire Department 2-11 alarm fire 35th Street 2-12-11

Stickney Engine 1201, a 2007 HME Ahrens Fox had two pre-connects off. Larry Shapiro photo