This from Erik Haak:
At 1950hrs on Saturday, April 27th, the McCook Fire Department was paged out to the report of an explosion occurring at a metal grinding company at 4828 S. Lawndale. First arriving companies confirmed smoke showing from the A and D sides at 1954hrs and elevated the response to a full still. The fire was contained in the 125 x 325 1-story rear section of the complex which included several additions that were not involved. At 2012hrs, command pulled MABAS Division 10 Box #14-01 after companies reported heavy smoke conditions in the interior. Several aerials were used to combat the slow burning fire that had melted through fiberglass portions of the roof. Riverside Truck 1629 operated from the northeast corner of the building and within the complex’s fenced-in lot. It’s aerial can be seen raised in several of the photos. Brookfield Truck 419 operated an aerial from the southeast corner and was set up on Lawndale. Bedford Park Truck 705 operated a stream from inside the complex on the south side of the building. Pleasantview Truck 1519 operated a master stream from the northwest corner of the complex and was set up on Clyde Terrace. Tri-State Truck 529 was set up off of the Joliet Road side of the building but never raised their aerial. Lyons Squad 1316 lit up the east side of the building where most of the fireground activity occurred. McCook Engine 1416 can also be seen supplying water to Riverside’s Truck as well as several handlines. Images pictured were taken approximately one hour into the incident.
#1 by Eric on April 29, 2013 - 7:09 AM
Thanks Josh. I wish I would have left home earlier. I was using a tripod and a remote release but forgot to shut off the anti-shake thingy so everything turned out just a little blurry. I hate when that happens… I am good at forgetting things like charging the battery or inserting the memory card. You know, little things like that :-).
#2 by Josh Boyajian on April 28, 2013 - 5:31 PM
Nice shots Eric, I was hoping someone would show up and take pictures. We were on the north side of the building in Dock D with a 2-1/2 and deck gun. The initial company from McCook went offenseive then backed out when the roof started to give, then it was mostly defensive until the fire was mostly knocked. Then McCook, Riverside, and us went in and hit hot spots. Then back out all the hose that was inside the building. McCook guys did a really good job before the auto aid companies got there.