Posts Tagged basement fire

Working fire in North Maine Township, 2-11-18

Feb 12

Posted by Admin in Apparatus on-scene, Fire Scene photos | Comments off

The North Maine FPD was sent to 9023 Terrace Place for a dryer fire Monday night just after 10PM. Upon arrival companies found a basement fire and the alarm was upgraded for the Working Fire. There was some extension to another unit in the four-unit townhouse and a MABAS Box Alarm was requested. The fire was extinguished shortly thereafter and some of the additional companies were returned.

Units at the scene included North Maine Battalion 1, Ambulance 1, and Engine 1; Des Plaines Battalion 61, Engine 61, Ambulance 61, and Tower 61; Niles Battalion 2, Engine 2, and Truck 2; Morton Grove Battalion 4 and Squad 4; Rosemont Truck 158 and Battalion 9; Mount Prospect Engine 13; Park Ridge Battalion 35; Glenview Ambulance 7 and Engine 7; and Northbrook Ambulance 10.

Larry Shapiro photo

Larry Shapiro photo

fire hydrant buried by snow with hose line

Larry Shapiro photo

North Maine FPD Engine 1 Spartan Metro Star

Larry Shapiro photo

fire chiefs and Firefighters at fire scene

Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighter pulls hose through a foot of snow

Larry Shapiro photo

townhouse fire in North Maine Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

more photos at Shapirophotography.net

Tags: basement fire, Box Alarm in North Maine Township, fire hydrant in snow, hydrant buried by snow, Larry Shapiro, North Maine FPD Engine 1, shapirophotography.net, winter fire scene

Chicago Still Alarm fire, 2-15-14

Feb 17

Posted by Admin in Fire, Fire Scene photos | Comments off

This from Eric Haak:

At 1640hrs on Saturday, February 15th, companies responded to the report of a fire on the 1900 block of South Christiana Avenue on Chicago’s West side. First-due companies reported light smoke showing on arrival. Upon making entry, the basement was found to be fully involved. Within the first few minutes, companies made a rescue of an unconscious male that looked to be in his late teens. The fire was quickly brought under control. At the time of this submission, there was no information on the condition of the victim.

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Eric Haak photo

Tags: basement fire, Chicago FD Engine 109, Chicago FD Truck 32, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago firemen rescue fire victim, Eric Haak, fire scene photos, flames shoot from basement window

2 extra alarm fires for DuPage County on 5-29-12

May 30

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | Comments off

From John Tulipano:

Bloomingdale 2nd Alarm

On 5/29/12 approximately 15:00, Bloomingdale Fire District responded to a structure fire at 1839 Timber Lane, fire was in a 2-sty frame, 6-unit townhouse, 50X150. 2-units were involved, once fire was knocked down a gas leak continued and a 2nd alarm was called for manpower.

Firefighters apply water to the rear of a townhouse in Bloomingdale on Tuesday. John Tulipano photo

Bloomingdale Engine 3, their 2011 Pierce Impel pumper/tanker had lines off in front of the building. John Tulipano photo

Lombard Tower Ladder 52 was staged down the block. John Tulipano photo

A Glenside firefighter goes through rehab at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Carol Stream Deputy Chief Hoff at the Bloomingdale fire scene. John Tulipano photo

Additional images are HERE.

Villa Park Fire & EMS Box Alarm

On 5/29/12 at approxiamtely 18:30, Villa Park received calls for a fire at the Villa Park VFW hall, 39 East St Charles Road. First arriving companies found smoke coming from the building and multiple injured civilians. Two lines were stretched into the basement where there was a gun range and reported explosion. Ten civilians were transported, three were critical. Companies on the General were Elmhurst Eng 2, York Center Sqd 77, Lombard TL52, and Northlake Trk 804. An EMS box was called bringing ambulances from Lombard, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, Bensenville, Wood Dale, and Oakbrook Terrace. Fire was quickly knocked down in the basement.

Firefighters prepare a line before entering the VFW Hall in Villa Park. John Tulipano photo

A patient is taken to a waiting ambulance by Lombard paramedics. John Tulipano photo

Firefighters mask up prior to entering the VFW hall in Villa Park to fight a basement fire. John Tulipano photo

Paramedics take another patient to a waiting ambulance. John Tulipano photo

Additional images are HERE.

The Chicago Tribune has an article HERE.

Nine people were injured, two critically, in a fire and possible explosion at a Villa Park VFW post apparently ignited by a welder working in a basement gun range during the post’s weekly bingo night this evening, authorities said.

Firefighters were called to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2801, 32 E. St. Charles Road in the west suburb, about 6:30 for a report of a fire and an explosion in the building, said Lombard Fire Department Battalion Chief Ronald Rakosnik, who is set to become Villa Park’s fire chief next month.

Nine patients were taken to area hospitals, two in critical condition, three in fair-to-serious condition, and the rest in good condition, Rakosnik said.

When firefighters arrived, they found many of those who had been inside with faces blackened with soot, after the quick-moving fire spread through the one-story building, Rakosnik said. Heat from a fast-moving fire like that in the VFW can cause damage to the lungs, Rakosnik.

The fire luckily ignited before bingo had actually started for the night, so fewer people were in the hall at the time than would have been an hour later, said those who were inside at the time.

Tags: 10 injured at fire in Villa park, 2nd alarm fire in Bloomingdale 5-29-12, basement fire, Bloomingdale Fire District, Elmhurst Fire Department, fire at the VFW hall in Villa Park, John Tulipano, Lombard Fire Department, paramedics with patient, patient on stretcher, Stryker stretcher, Villa park Fire Department

3rd Alarm house fire in Riverwoods 5-1-12

May 1

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | 2 Comments

A family residing at 1080 Hiawatha Lane in Riverwoods, IL was awakened around 3AM by smoke detectors. Before exiting the house, homeowners encountered heavy smoke from the basement and were unable to descend the stairs to help a child escape from his bedroom. The child, unable to navigate the dense smoke to get up the stairs, was able to escape through a window and window well.

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD

Roughly an hour into the fire, thick smoke pushes out of first floor windows as a fire rages in the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods companies responded on the Still Alarm, and upon arrival they upgraded the alarm to a Code 4 (working fire). This brought Prospect Heights Squad 9 and a mutual-aid ambulance.

Smoke escapes from basement window wells and first floor windows as firefighters flow water into the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

First arriving firefighters found the front door open and building smoke conditions inside as they made their way to the basement stairway. Almost immediately they noticed a softness under foot and quickly fled the house. Within minutes of all members getting out, the front foyer began to collapse.

A hand line is directed through a hole in the kitchen floor into the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Pierce aerial ladder

Lincolnshire Truck 53 had six lines off and the aerial to the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Companies began an exterior attack and soon thereafter the alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm which brought engines from Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, and Lake Forest in addition to a Long Grove squad, a Lake Zurich ambulance, and a Countryside truck.

Fire burns between the floor joists in the basement ceiling. Larry Shapiro photo

The fire continued to prove difficult to get ahead of and a 2nd Alarm was requested at roughly 4AM. This brought engines from Mundelein and Deerfield, a Libertyville squad, an ambulance from Northfield, a quint from Highwood, and a truck from Grayslake.

Second floor windows are taken out as the fire climbs through the walls and void spaces. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter goes to the roof through heavy smoke to vent the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

After cutting ventilation holes in the roof, an officer is the last one to climb down the ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

As it appeared that the fire was spreading vertically throughout the house, companies vented the roof and second floor windows. The basement fire continued to burn freely and a request was made for high expansion foam. Round Lake Foam Unit 2229 responded to the scene. The fire continued to burn and the alarm was upgraded again to a 3rd Alarm. This brought engines from Lake Bluff, Glenview, plus a truck from Wilmette, an ambulance from Palatine, and a squad from Highland Park.

After venting the second floor, smoke pushes out from all the windows. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Oshkosh T-3000 ARFF

The Quad 2 Foam Unit was requested to the scene with high-expansion foam to smother the fire in the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD high expansion foam firefighting

Foam was applied from the front and the rear of the house to smother the basement fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Foam suds spread throughout the basement and first floor. Larry Shapiro photo

The basement was partially filled with water and the remainder was filled with foam as the fire burned between the floor joists. The fire was struck-0ut around 8AM and companies began to pickup from the scene. The 3rd Alarm companies were not put to work.

A window well and adjoining basement space are filled with water. Larry Shapiro photo

The basement in the rear is filled with water and foam. Engineered floor joists are visible. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire Engine 52 was the still alarm engine and had two lines off. Engine 51 laid a supply line across nearby Riverwoods Road to supply Engine 52. Truck 53 had a hydrant in front of the house and had six lines working.

The front foyer which collapsed shortly after firefighters withdrew is filled with foam from the basement. Larry Shapiro photo

The front foyer is visible from the rear of the house as well. Larry Shapiro photo

As the foam settles, the extent of the floor collapse in the front is clearly visible. The basement stairs are directly behind the front wall. Larry Shapiro photo

Riverwoods house fire on Hiawatha 5-1-12 basement fire Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD firefihter rehab

The rehab area was setup to accommodate the large number of firefighters that were on the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Wilmette Fire Department Tower Ladder 26

Wilmette Tower 26 was moved up to the third alarm from the fourth alarm as another truck was unavailable to respond on an earlier alarm. Larry Shapiro photo

Northbrook Fire Department Lieutenant Steve Johnson spent his last shift working the fire in Riverwoods. He retired today after 30 years in Northbrook. Larry Shapiro photo

A gallery of images from the scene can be found on Larry Shapiro’s site HERE. A video of the fire will follow in a subsequent post.

Tags: basement fire, engineered floor joists cause floor collapse, family escapes house fire, firefighters use foam to fight basement fire, floor collapse endangers firefighters, Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, high expansion foam used to fight fire, large house destroyed by fire in Riverwoods, Larry Shapiro, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD, MESS Canteen, Northbrook Fire Department Lieutenant Steve johnson, Tim Olk, Wilmette Fire Department

Arlington Heights Box Alarm 4-18-12

Apr 19

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News | Comments off

Arlington Heights house fire basement fire 4-18-12 1142 Fernandez

Heavy smoke pushes out from all sides of the house at 1142 Fernandez in Arlington Heights shortly after companies backed out. Larry Shapiro photo

A homeowner at 1142 S. Fernandez Avenue in Arlington Heights was reportedly refinishing the basement floor with a flammable solvent which somehow ignited. The fire department received calls reporting white smoke escaping from multiple areas of the home around 5PM on Wednesday. When police arrived and confirmed the reports, Arlington Heights Battalion 1 upgraded the response to a working fire before companies arrived on the scene. The homeowner fled the house then ran back inside before the fire department arrived. He then escaped with 1st degree burns to his face after taking in smoke as well. Responding at this point were two engines from Arlington Heights plus their tower, a squad, two ambulances, and several chief officers. A truck from Des Plaines, a Rolling Meadows engine, an engine from Elk Grove Township, a Rolling Meadows ambulance, and a Mount Prospect engine were the mutual aid companies.

Arlington Heights house fire basement fire 4-18-12 1142 Fernandez Pierce Quantum

Arlington Heights Engine 3 was the first engine on-scene. Four lines were working off this engine, both pre-connects and two skid loads. Larry Shapiro photo

Arlington Heights Engine 3 took a line into the house and encountered fire and high heat as they descended the basement stairs. A second line followed very quickly, and though companies made progress, the basement became untenable and they had to withdraw.

Arlington Heights house fire basement fire 4-18-12 1142 Fernandez Pierce tower ladder

Arlington Heights Tower 1 was in front of the building and preparing to go up with firefighters to vent the roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Schaumburg firefighters went to the roof to ventilate. Larry Shapiro photo

Realizing that the fire was burning unchecked, the alarm was upgraded again to a MABAS Box Alarm. This added Prospect Heights Squad 9, Palatine Rural Engine 36, the third Arlington Heights engine, Elk Grove Village Engine 9, Elk Grove Township Ambulance 11, and Schaumburg Truck 52.

At one point in time there were six Pierce Quantum engines at the scene. Engine 3 was the still alarm engine with multiple lines off. Larry Shapiro photo

Another hose line is stretched to the front of the building. There would eventually be seven lines on the fireground. Larry Shapiro photo

Heavy smoke continues to vent from the house. Larry Shapiro photo

A total of seven lines were used throughout the three-hour battle to contain the fire. Smoke pushed out of all sides and firefighters put two cellar nozzles to work attempting to hit the basement fire. Roughly 20 minutes into the fire, command was informed that a portion of the first floor had burned through and all companies were ordered to remain outside in a defensive posture. One firefighter from Arlington Heights was taken to the hospital after being knocked onto his back while exiting the house early in the operation.

Arlington Heights house fire basement fire 4-18-12 1142 Fernandez injured firefighter

An Arlington Heights firefighter receives assistance after being pulled out of the house. Larry Shapiro photo

Heavy smoke envelopes the injured firefighter and the medics as they head toward the ambulance. Larry Shapiro photo

The basement was reportedly filled with water to the window level after several hours of flowing multiple lines through the window wells, the first floor, and a hole that was breached in the front of the house.

Working on the 'D' side of the house, a hose line is directed into the basement through a window well. Larry Shapiro photo

Smoke vents on the 'B' side of the house from the first floor. Larry Shapiro photo

A front corner wall was breached to allow a line to reach another section of the basement between the floor joists. Larry Shapiro photo

The fire was struck out near 8PM.

Larry Shapiro submitted several images and has a rather large gallery HERE.

Tags: Arlington Heights Fire Department, basement fire, Des Plaines Fire Department, Elk Grove Township Fire Protection District, Elk Grove Village Fire Department, firefighter injured at Arlington Heights house fire, firefighters breach wall to fight basement fire, heavy smoke from house fire, house fire in Arlington Heights, Larry Shapiro, Mount Prospect FIre Department, Palatine Rural Fire Department, Pierce Quantum, Prospect Heights Fire Department, Rolling Meadows Fire Department, Schaumburg Fire Department

Northbrook house fire 9-23-11

Sep 24

Posted by bgshap in Fire, Fire Department News, Reader submission | Comments off

Friday morning around 7:30AM, the Northbrook Fire Department received calls reporting heavy smoke coming from a vacant house at 1017 Shermer Road. First arriving companies found smoke throughout the ranch house coming from a basement fire. The alarm was elevated to a Code 4 for the working fire, and brought mutual aid from Glencoe and Northfield to assist.

After the fire was extinguished, an investigator’s box alarm was requested bringing fire investigators from neighboring Division 3 departments to assist Northbrook in determining a cause.

Tim Olk arrived with the first companies and submitted a few images of the scene.

Northbrook house fire at 1017 Shermer Road 9-23-11

Northbrook firefighters arrive to find a fire at 1017 Shermer Road Friday morning. After the window was vented, companies advance a line through the front door before realizing that the fire is in the beasement. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters work through heavy smoke to vent the roof as another works to remove the front door. Tim Olk photo

As the truck company prepares to exit the roof, a line is placed through the basement window to attack the fire. Tim Olk photo

Tim has a gallery with more images HERE.

Tags: basement fire, firefighters ventilating a roof, Glencoe Fire Department, Glencoe Public Safety Department, house fire on Shermer Road in Northbrook, Northbrook Fire Department, Northfield Fire Department, Northfield Fire Rescue, roof ventilation, Tim Olk, vacant house fire

Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire 9-12-11

Sep 13

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | 1 Comment

Chicago had a 2-11 Alarm for a fire at 3056 N. Milwaukee Avenue Monday morning. The Chicago Tribune reports:

The fire broke out at 9:24 a.m. in the building at 3056 North Milwaukee Avenue and when firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was billowing from the basement and the ceiling appeared to be involved in the fire, according to fire department spokesman Larry Langford.

No one was in the two story building, which housed the bakery on the first floor and apartments on the second, Langford said.

Tim Olk and Steve Redick were at the scene. Steve submitted a video and Tim submitted several images.

Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire at 3056 N. Milwaukee Avenue

The fire which originated in the basement forced firefighters out of the building shortly after they arrived. The Mobile Ventilation Unit was called to the scene and deployed. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters use a hand line from the roof of a neighboring building. Tim Olk photo

The 13th Battalion goes to work removing roofing materials. Tim Olk photo

As one company applies water to the fire, another works on ventilation. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters climb the rear stairs as fire burns inside the second floor. Tim Olk photo

The complete Tribune article is HERE.

Tim Olk has more photos HERE.

Tags: 2-11 alarm, 2-11 alarm fire, basement fire, Chicago 2-11 Alarm fire, Chicago Fire Department, commercial fire, Steve Redick, Tim Olk

Berwyn house fire 5-14-11

May 14

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News, Fire Service News, Reader submission | Comments off

Josh Boyajian was on the scene at a house fire in Berwyn this afternoon and submitted several images. The fire was in the basement of a house at 3730 Clarence Avenue with units working from Berwyn and North Riverside.

Berwyn house fire 5-14-11 Clarence Avenue

Firefighters arrive at 3730 Clarence Avenue in Berwyn to find a basement fire. Josh Boyajian photo

With the first line in through the front, Berwyn firefighters Josh Boyajian photo

Berwyn Quint 901 is on a hydrant at the corner. Josh Boyajian photo

A long lead out from the first-due quint to the front of the house. Josh Boyajian photo Smoke is visible escaping from the window well on the side of the house. Josh Boyajian photo

Tags: basement fire, Berwyn Fire Department, Berwyn house fire, Berwyn Quint 901, Josh Boyajian

Lincolnwood 2-11 house fire 2-14-11 update

Feb 15

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Department News | Comments off

video coverage by Larry Shapiro of the 2-11 Alarm house fire yesterday in Lincolnwood.

Tags: 2-11 alarm fire, basement fire, fire video, Larry Shapiro, Lincolnwood Fire Department

Lincolnwood 2-11 Alarm house fire 2-14-11 update

Feb 15

Posted by bgshap in Apparatus on-scene, Fire, Fire Service News, Reader submission | 1 Comment

Tim Olk submitted the following images from yesterday’s 2-11 in Lincolnwood. His complete gallery can be viewed HERE.

Lincolnwood Fire Department 2-11 house fire St Louis 2-14-11

Early operations show heavy smoke escaping from every possible point in the 'B Sector'. Tim Olk photo

At a point early into the operation, Northfield firefighters work to get a 2 1/2" line into one of the window wells in the 'B Sector'. The officer is seen here standing inside the well itself. Tim Olk photo

Suburban firefighters are assisted by members of Chicago Squad 2 as they breach holes in the 'B Sector' walls to gain access to the various rooms in the basement. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters in the 'B Sector' addressing access issues to get more water into the basement. Tim Olk photo

Firefighters from Chicago Squad 2 use sledge hammers to remove the brick facia in the rear to allow access to the basement. Tim Olk photo

Niles firefighters using a hand line in the rear encounter heavy fire in the basement which is venting out of an area that firefighters opened in the wall. Tim Olk photo