This from Larry Shapiro:

I took in the 4-11 yesterday at Peterson & Lincoln. Was on the highway when they dispatched the still alarm and had a hunch it would be worthwhile to head that way. The Box Alarm was about the time of the first image here (through the windshield) and the 2-11 was as I jumped out of the car in traffic half a block away. My wife, being the good sport that she is, parked the car and sat.

Engine 71 had a deck gun going in Sector 4 on Albany and I just missed Truck 56 with their Spartan ladder to the 1-4 roof. It was backing out as I got to that side … was hoping to see it up and working for two reasons. First, I’ve yet to photograph one of these aerials at a working fire, and second was the fact that the last fire I remember at this center, a Still & Box Alarm, was the day before they were to turn in their Seagrave to pickup the Spartan.

Eventually, 71 had to move as the electric transformer on the 3-4 corner exploded violently from the massive fire storm that was active where they were working.

A third tower ladder was added to the alarm as were two additional truck companies. The fire crossed one firewall on the eastern edge of the center and was basically stopped at the next one between the mattress store and hair shop.

I am working a a video which will post when it’s completed.

View from the west on Peterson, just after the Box was requested. Larry Shapiro photo

A shot from across Peterson at Lincoln. Engine 71 facing heavy fire. Larry Shapiro photo

An early view just after the 2-11 upgrade. Engine 71 facing heavy fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Smoke escapes from everywhere on the roof which is filled with roofing materials. Larry Shapiro photo

Squad 2A waits for water. Larry Shapiro photo

Engine 71 on Albany in Sector 4. Larry Shapiro photo

Albany was blanketed in smoke. Larry Shapiro photo

Engine 71 facing heavy fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Tower Ladder 23 setting up at the 1-4 corner, at Peterson & Albany. Larry Shapiro photo

Fire consumes the fourth occupancy. Larry Shapiro photo

Massive smoke and flames on the east leg of the strip center. Engine 71 facing heavy fire. Larry Shapiro photo

One of multiple master streams. Larry Shapiro photo

Big fire load in the mattress store. Larry Shapiro photo

Fire up against the wall opposite of the hair cutting shop. Larry Shapiro photo

An extensive gallery with over 200 images can be viewed HERE.

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