Two-part video from Larry Shapiro of the Box Alarm house fire in Des Plaines, 8-16-19
Posts Tagged “Collyer’s Mansion” conditions at suburban house fire
Des Plaines firefighters were called to a house at 555 Leahy Circle East late Friday night for a fire in the basement. A header was visible while units were en route and the alarm was upgraded to a working fire before arrival. Dispatch advised of hoarder conditions at the residence which was confirmed on arrival by the first company officer walking around the exterior. The residents were already out of the house and firefighters had difficulty entering the premises. Several vent holes were cut in the roof before companies were ordered off and then out of the structure for setting up a defensive posture. The basement fire traveled to the second floor and areas of the first floor had been compromised. Hand lines were directed through windows and doorways but it remained difficult to reach the seat of the fire due to the clutter.
The incident was upgraded to a Box Alarm for additional resources after withdrawing personnel from the interior. Eventually lines were shut down to let the fire burn until it was visible and accessible from the outside and then companies again attacked the flames. One tower ladder was utilized with a ground level master stream through the front door and living room before it was able to be positioned above the house with access to the fire that vented through the roof. Hand lines were deployed on all sides of the house.
The bulk of the fire was contained by 4AM with companies working at the scene for several more hours.
All Des Plaines units were at the scene along with mutual aid from Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect, The North Maine FPD, Elk Grove Township FPD, Wheeling, Park Ridge, Chicago Squad 7, Rosemont, Bensenville, and Glenview.
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
Larry Shapiro photo
This from Art Zern:
See the attached photos from the Daily Chronicle. Frame two story “Collyers Mansion” fire on 10/26/16. General Alarm fire with lots of work from exterior due interior conditions and only room for three on the second floor at a time. Nice stop all things considered.
Art
Excerpts from the Daily-Chronicle.com and here:
Firefighters were called to 974 W. State St., in Sycamore, on Wednesday evening after a neighbor reported seeing smoke. When crews arrived, smoke could be seen coming from the attic of the two-story home, Sycamore Fire Chief Pete Polarek said. Firefighters were able to get the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
The residents were already outside of the home by the time firefighters arrived at the house. No injuries were reported. The fire caused about $40,000 in damages to the home.
Homeowner Larry Smith, 61, who lived there with his wife, and son, said they had been remodeling the home. Two weeks ago they had finished the roof and put up new windows, he said. He didn’t know what caused the fire that appears to have started in the area of a second-floor bedroom and hallway, or where the family would stay the night. Damage from the fire, smoke and water left the home uninhabitable.
No one was injured in the fire and the Sycamore Fire Department was assisted by crews from DeKalb, Cortland, Hinckley, and Genoa.
(Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com)
(Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com)
(Matthew Apgar – mapgar@shawmedia.com)
Palatine house fire, 4-17-18
Apr 21
Long Grove FPD companies responded to a reported house fire just after 9PM at 4251 Route 83. Units arrived and reported a working fire. Mutual aid companies on the initial response included engines from Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Palatine, Lake Zurich, and Arlington Heights. Buffalo Grove responded with a 75′ quint, Prospect Heights sent an ambulance and a tanker, and an additional tanker came from the Palatine Rural FPD since the area is without hydrants.
Conditions inside the house, one of the few houses on Route 83 between Aptakisic and Hill Top Roads, were that of hoarders, making interior navigation difficult. The fire was largely on the exterior of the building with extension on both floors. There were no injuries. Additional companies requested to the scene as the alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 (working fire) included an engine from Barrington and an Arlington Heights ambulance.
Long Grove Squad 55 was supplying two hand lines. Larry Shapiro photo
The house at 4251 Route 83 in Long Grove. Larry Shapiro photo
Lake Zurich firefighter vents a second floor building. Larry Shapiro photo
Long Grove firefighters with a line to wash down the hot spots. Larry Shapiro photo
Lincolnshire Riverwoods Engine 51 lights the scene. Larry Shapiro photo
With no hydrants, Squad 55 is nursed from Tanker 55. Larry Shapiro photo
A second floor window is taken out. Larry Shapiro photo
The Palatine lieutenant supervises a probationary firefighter as he vents the roof. Larry Shapiro photo
Squad 55 in front of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
The Lincolnwood Fire Department is fighting a fire near the intersection of Albion and Kilpatrick. Units reported on the scene at roughly 2:30PM to find a ranch house with heavy smoke showing. Companies soon went defensive. The house is reportedly a “Collyer’s Mansion” and is packed with debris and various items.
Tim Olk submitted the following image from the scene roughly 35 minutes into the incident with heavy fire through the roof.
A master stream is seen at the house fire in Linclonwood as fire burns through the roof. TIm Olk photo
