The Elmwood Park Fire Department had two Box Alarm fires on January 17th. The first was after midnight, and the second was roughly 8AM when they received a call for a fire in a two-story, single family, frame building of balloon construction in the 2100 block of 73rd Court. Residents reported a fire in the second floor bathroom. First arriving companies encountered heavy smoke and high heat on the second floor and initially had trouble finding the seat of the fire. Heavy fire was visible after companies vented the front of the building and there was a partial roof collapse in the rear. Interior crews were ordered out of the building and the attack became defensive. Elmwood Park was assisted by River Forest, River Grove, and Norwood Park on the still alarm. The box alarm brought Franklin Park, Leyden Township, Melrose Park, and Northlake (RIT) to the scene while Schiller Park changed quarters into Elmwood Park.
Jim Lee (CFD FAO) was there as fire vented through the roof and submitted several images.
Heavy fire can be seen venting through the front and rear of the second floor and through the roof. Jim Lee photo
A from West Palmer Street view showing fire venting through the rear of the house in the 2100 block of 73rd Court in Elmwood Park on January 17th. Jim Lee photo
With heavy fire visible in the background, Elmwood Park Ambulance 944 is shown staged around the corner on Palmer near the alley leaving them a path to leave the scene should an injury occur. Jim Lee photo
