The header as seen from a high-rise building in Oak Park. Dan McInerney photo
Firefighters prepare to put the Melrose Park Bronto Skylift into operation as the attack went defensive. Dan McInerney photo
The center of the courtyard off of Pine Street provided a vantage point for multiple hand lines directed into the upper floors of the fire building. Dan McInerney photo
The Maywood Fire Department received a call around 9AM this morning from contractors renovating a four-story vacant building. Preliminary reports indicate an accident involving a torch from a worker near the cockloft of one building of this five-building complex. A 2nd alarm was requested from Maywood companies shortly after arrival and the fire was eventually elevated to a third alarm. The structure was brick with concrete floors and the fire ran the length of the attic space burning off much of the roof before it collapsed in sections.
Aerial master streams from the Maywood and Melrose Park aerials along with a hand line from the ground go to work on the east side of the fire building shortly after companies were pulled out of the building. Dan McInerney photo
Heavy smoke is venting through the roof of the fire building as seen from 4th Avenue looking to the north east. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood firefighters working off the tip of Truck 502's aerial work to gain access to the cockloft so they can reach the seat of the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood Truck 502, a Spartan/Darley/Nova-Quintech was setup on 3rd Street on the east side of the fire. Larry Shapiro photo
Looking south on 3rd Avenue from Randolph the fire building is seen as part of a larger complex of buildings. The fire was contained to the building of origin. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood firefighters operate a hand line directed into the top floor. John Tulipano photo
A wider shot shows one hand line, the Maywood truck, and the stream from the Melrose Park aerial working on the east side of the fire building. John Tulipano photo
Fire breaks through the roof above where firefighters from Maywood are working to reach the cockloft. Larry Shapiro photo
Before they can continue their ventilation work, the Maywood firefighters standby as lines from the ground and the Melrose Park tower are directed at the flames. Larry Shapiro photo
As fire travels from the north to the south along the roof and cockloft, firefighters direct their streams to the southern end. The roof on the north end has collapsed. Dan McInerney photo
Maywood responded to the scene with a truck, three engine, and an ambulance. Mutual aid came from Melrose Park, Westchester, and Forest Park with trucks, North Riverside and River Grove with ambulances and engines from Broadview, Berkely, Bellwood, Stone Park, Elmwood Park, Hillside, and River Forest. The Maywood, Westchester, and Melrose Park trucks had master streams working, and engines supplying water were from Stone Park, River Forest, Bellwood, Berkely, plus two from Maywood.
Larry Shapiro, John Tulipano, and Dan McInerney were at the fire and submitted several images.
Maywood firefighters work to gain access to the hidden fire behind the mansard roof as the fire continues to vent through the roof. John Tulipano photo
As fire breaks through a new section of the roof, the master streams are re0directed. John Tulipano photo
Fire has reached the south end of the roof as seen from Pine Street and 3rd Avenue. Larry Shapiro photo
Companies worked inside the building until the fire took control of the roof and firefighters were notified by the contractors that there were several propane tanks plus two Bobcat Skid-Steer loaders inside.
Hillside Engine 405 was parked in staging and was not used for pumping, The manpower worked at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
Maywood's 3rd engine at the scene, Engine 505, was parked down the street from the fire building. John Tulipano photo
Engines from River Forest and Stone Park laid hose to 5th Avenue and were on hydrants at Pine and Randolph respectively. Larry Shapiro photo
The 3-11 was struck out before noon.
John has a gallery of images HERE and Larry has a gallery HERE.
Another view showing fire burning through the roof with both master streams working. John Tulipano photo
An article about the fire can be found HERE.
