Chicago firefighters responded yesterday to a fire at 525 W. Armitage, less than a block from the quarters of Engine 22. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire on the 2nd and 3rd floors of a three-flat that was undergoing renovation. The alarm was escalated to a 2-11 for additional companies. During the course of the fire, the building suffered a catastrophic collapse.  The Chicago Tribune has a brief story HERE.

Tim Olk arrived at the fire after the collapse and submitted several images.

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

Firefighters work from the bucket of Squad 1 with a hand line and the master stream. Tim Olk photo

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

Firefighters use a hand line from an adjacent roof top. Tim Olk photo

 

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

Engine 22 sits in Sector 4 on Mohawk as fire continues to burn in the pile of debris. Tim Olk photo

 

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

Firefighters standby in the street with a hand line. Tim Olk photo

 

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

The front shell of the building facing Armitage remains standing after the rest of the building collapsed. Tim Olk photo

 

Chicago building fire 525 W. Armitage Avenue 9-16-11

The building sat on the corner of Armitage and Mohawk, The collapse occurred on the Mohawk side of the structure. Tim Olk photo

 

A gallery with more images can be viewed HERE.