A firefighter cuts through a metal fence to allow access to the rear of the scene. Shaun Unell photo

The North Chicago Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a commercial auto-body facility last night and arrived to find heavy fire in a one-story commercial building with exposures on both sides. The alarm was upgraded to a MABAS Box Alarm which brought mutual aid companies to the scene. Not long after, a structural collapse of the original building occurred as fire spread to both exposures.

Fire burns through the rear of the original building after the roof collapsed. Shaun Unell photo

A master stream from the North Chicago tower ladder as fire takes hold of the southern exposure building. Shaun Unell photo

There were several special calls initiated which increased the units on the scene. Several hours later the alarm was elevated to a 2nd Alarm although the actual number of companies on the scene made the alarm in essence much greater.

Firefighters move hose to clear a spot for the Round Lake Tower Ladder as it moves into position on Sheridan Road. Shaun Unell photo

Knollwood Engine 44 had lines off in the rear. Shaun Unell photo

Heavy smoke escapes from the vacant apartment building as firefighters redeploy North Chicago Tower 9. Shaun Unell photo

Engines that were pumping came from North Chicago, Waukegan, Newport Township, Knollwood, Abbott Labs, and Lake Forest. Additional engine companies responded from the Great Lakes Naval Base, Winthrop Harbor, Lake Villa, and a second unit from Newport Township. There were five elevated master streams in operation including tower ladders from North Chicago and Round Lake, in addition to Highland Park, Zion, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods ladders. A Grayslake ladder and Arlington Heights tower were not put to use. Arlington Heights though receives the prize for coming the farthest … 32 miles.

Highland Park Truck 33, a Sutphen mid-mount ladder was on Lenox Street behind the fire buildings. Larry Shapiro photo

The Newport Township hose tender, a 1977 Mack CF, was supplying Highland Park. Larry Shapiro photo

Lincolnshire Truck 53 went to work as a master stream for the first time. Larry Shapiro photo

Lake Bluff, Gurnee, and Deerfield had squads at the scene and chief officers responded from Waukegan, Newport Township, Wauconda, and Lake Forest. There were two North Chicago ambulances on the scene plus medic units for rehab from Libertyville and the Antioch Rescue Squad.

The Round Lake tower ladder setup in front of the exposure building to the south. Larry Shapiro photo

THe two-story brick apartment building to the south proved to be a challenge of sorts since it was deemed unsafe for interior operations and the roof remained intact for quite some time. Larry Shapiro photo

Eventually the fire broke through the roof giving the elevated master streams access to extinguish it. Larry Shapiro photo

Waukegan Engine 1611 was on a hydrant at Sheridan Road and 10th Street. Larry Shapiro photo

The fire was directly across the street from Abbott Labs and their fire department was able to supply water from the Abbott property reservoir to allow greater defensive operations than the North Chicago city water supply would allow.

The Abbott Labs engine was pumping from their property across the street from the fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Zion's truck in the foreground wets down the remains of the apartment building along with the Round Lake and North Chicago towers farther down the road. Larry Shapiro photo

There were no reported injuries associated with the fire and the alarm was struck-out late in the evening. Companies were released from the scene after midnight as an excavator was brought in to knock down the remnants of an unsafe building.

Shaun Unell and Larry Shapiro both were at the scene and have submitted images. More photos can be viewed HERE.

A video will be available soon.

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