Lake Forest firefighters were called to 81 W. North Avenue Thursday morning (2/23/17) for smoke in the basement of an occupied house undergoing some renovation. Black smoke was reported on arrival and the alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 for the working fire.
As conditions deteriorated and sections of the first floor became unstable, the alarm was upgraded to a Box Alarm. The fire was declared under control shortly thereafter and the incident commander began releasing companies.
![aftermath of house fire](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/170223_LKFR-3675-600x400.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![aftermath of house fire](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/170223_LKFR-3678-600x400.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![aftermath of house fire](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/170223_LKFR-3689-600x400.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![ambulance at fire scene](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/170223_LKFR-4336-600x400.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
![fire trucks at fire scene](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/170223_LKFR-4340-600x400.jpg)
Larry Shapiro photo
more photos at Shapirophotography.net
This from Steve Redick:
Happened to be in the area, this is a long way from my usual still district. Fire was a done deal but I got to see and shoot a bunch of rigs I never see.Steve
![Lincolnshire-Riverwoods FPD Truck 51](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5030-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Lake Bluff FD fire engine](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5032-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Countryside FPD tower ladder](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5036-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Deerfield-Bannockburn FPD Squad 19](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5037-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Lake Forest FD fire engine](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5039-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Bull dog character on fire truck](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5040-600x475.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Lake Forest FD fire engine](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5042-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Knollwood FD quint](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5045-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![Highland Park FD Squad 33](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/A34A5047-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo