Archive for May 1st, 2016

Several injured during Kankakee fire, 4-13-16 (more)

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Bail was set at $5 million Thursday for a homeless man accused of setting a fire in a Kankakee apartment building last month that fatally injured two young brothers.

Alex A. Sawyer, 61, of Kankakee, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated arson in connection with the fire early in the morning on April 13 in the 800 block of West Station Street, west of the city’s downtown, officials said. Jushaun Watson, 2, and Justice Stewart, 4, died days later in hospitals in Cook County.

Five other building residents also were injured, and three firefighters were hurt extinguishing the fire, officials said. Twenty people were left homeless.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jamie Boyd, in a prepared statement, said he filed the formal charges but was awaiting a report from the Cook County medical examiner’s office confirming the specific cause of death. Preliminary reports showed the victims had no burns on their body, Boyd said. A spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office said the cause and manner of death are pending.

Boyd said preliminary reports from the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s office and investigations conducted by the Kankakee City Fire Department concluded that a futon in a stairwell had been set on fire.

Boyd cited reports that said Sawyer, who previously lived in the building, admitted to having a disagreement with the building’s owner and being inside on the date of the fire and starting the fire.

On Tuesday, Kankakee police arrested Sawyer, who was already incarcerated on unrelated misdemeanor charges.

 

thanks Dan

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3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 4-29-16 (more)

Images from Eric Haak of the 3-11 Alarm fire last night (4/29/16) at 3327 W. 48th Place

Chicago FD Engine 65 at a fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago FD tower ladder

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

fire chief at fire scene

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at warehouse fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at warehouse fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at warehouse fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at warehouse fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firefighters at warehouse fire

Eric Haak photo

Video from Steve Redick

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3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago, 4-29-16

This from Larry Shapiro:

Chicago had a 3-11 Alarm fire last night (4/29/16) at 3327 W. 48th Place. Companies had a four-story, 100×300 building filled with mattresses. I arrived at the tail end of the incident and thought I’d share a few apparatus shots. I know that several other contributors were there from the early stages, so here are some of the specialty pieces including the Mobile Battery Vehicle 6-3-9, Rehab Unit 5-7-1, 5-11 Club Canteen 4-0-2, Comm Van 2-7-4, and 9-2-4 the MVU from O’Hare which was special called, along with an all red buggy and another with blue lights.

Chicago FD MVU 924 from O'Hare Airport

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD E-ONE Tower Ladder 39 at night

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD E-ONE Tower Ladder 39 at night

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Engine 65

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Battalion 14

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD E-ONE Tower Ladder 39 at night

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Engine 34

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Mobile Command Unit 274

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Mobile Battery Vehicle 639

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Deputy District Chief 224

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago FD Rehab Unit 571

Larry Shapiro photo

Chicago 5-11 Club Canteen unit

Larry Shapiro photo

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As seen around … Chicago

This from the fleetguy

“New” tower 34 or old tower 14 FDE 315 almost ready for the street

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 34

CFD Tower Ladder 34 (FDE 315) is being reassigned from Tower Ladder 14.

Chicago FD Tower Ladder 34

New numbering for FDE 315

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Flossmoor firefighters recognized for their actions

Excerpts from the hfchronicle.com:

Two Flossmoor firefighters were honored this week for their heroic actions during last November’s fatal house fire on Hagen Lane. Captain Matt Berk and Firefighter Zach Jebens received the Valor Award from the 100 Club of Chicago.

The fire, which broke out just before 8 p.m. on Nov. 7 at 2035 Hagen Lane, led to the death of homeowner Josephine Tropp, who died six days after she was rescued from the blaze.

At the annual Valor Award ceremony, Berk and Jebens joined firefighters and police officers from Chicago and two other suburban communities who were recognized for their heroism. The Valor Award is presented to police officers, firefighters and paramedics who, by their actions, performed above and beyond the call of duty.

Berk received the award from his father Greg, who was Flossmoor fire chief for 28 years; Greg Berk was also Wheaton fire chief for 10 years before retiring after 46 years in the fire service.

Flossmoor Assistant Chief Keith Damm narrated the account of events on the night of the fire.

Upon arriving at the house, fire crews found a hellish inferno. Fire was coming out of two sides of the single-story structure. Windows on the front and right sides had broken from the intense heat being radiated from the fire, allowing more oxygen to enter the home and intensify the blaze.

The police officer on the scene informed the crew that they had one person in custody and confirmed that an elderly woman was trapped inside the home.

Because of the large amount of fire, crews moved hoses to the front door. As the crew started to enter the burning structure there were several explosions inside the home. The residents had stored a number of oxygen tanks in the living room, to the right of the entry door, and the tanks were exploding from the intense heat of the fire. Crews said the fire was burning so hot that they could see right through the flames.

Berk directed efforts to evacuate the victim from the house through a bedroom window. Once outside the house, she was taken by stretcher to a Thornton Fire Department ambulance. Jebens led the successful attempt to resuscitate the victim.

Josephine Tropp later died from her injuries. Her daughter, Denise Tropp, told police she started the fire. She has been charged with arson and murder.

 

thanks Dan

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