The following images are from a still & box alarm fire in Chicago on Sunday, 12/3/23. The fire was in the old Swift mansion at 45th and Michigan. It started in a rear stairwell and was possibly of incendiary origins. The investigation has been turned over to CPD bomb and arson.
Just before sunrise on Thanksgiving morning, a fire broke out in the former Wing Hoe restaurant located in Chicago’s 9th Battalion. The structure was built as a private residence in 1913 and had been the Wing Hoe since 1971. It was currently vacant and scheduled for demolition. Companies had been drilling in the structure as recently as the day before. The building was a 2.5-story brick with a basement where the fire appeared to originate. Engine Company 83 made a valiant effort to get a line on it before it advanced, but with holes in the floor and being heavily charged with smoke, the decision was made to transition to a defensive attack.
I arrived as the box was being pulled and found very heavy smoke emanating from the entire structure. Engine Company 59 made entry from a safe POV through a rear door that accessed the basement and made some headway there but the fire extension was already advanced. A Snorkel, tower ladder, two RAMs, and several hand lines were used to bring this job under control.
Eric Haak
3-11 alarm fire of the Evans food factory on 41st and Halsted Chicago. Started at around 9 AM 11/16/2023. Secured at around noon. No injuries or death.
Naugatuck, CT multiple alarm factory fire
09/25/23 Naugatuck, CT – Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke issuing from a large, two-story mill building and companies immediately went defensive. Additional alarms were transmitted bringing surrounding towns to the scene. Firefighters had trouble throughout the firefight due to a lack of hydrants and water in the area. Access was also troublesome due to narrow roadways and railroad tracks fronting the building. Three aerials and multiple master streams operated to bring the fire under control in three hours. At the height of the fire, the number-one side wall collapsed into the street causing train traffic to be briefly halted. The cause of the fire is under investigation. An emergency demolition was ordered due to the damage sustained.
Glenn Duda
NAUGATUCK, CT – At approximately 6:10pm on September 25, 2023, the Naugatuck Fire Department was dispatched to the old Lewis Engineering building at 238 Water Street for a building fire. First companies on scene found a vacant, two-story mill building already well-involved. A defensive attack was called and no members were sent inside. Mutual aid was called from several towns including Waterbury, Beacon Falls, Middlebury, and Prospect.
9-9-2023 DATELINE CITY OF CHICAGO STILL ALARM + W/F RESPONSE + 1 S/C AT 2445 WEST ON 51ST STREET CROSS STREETS OF SOUTH ARTESIAN & SOUTH CAMPBELL STILL ALARM @ 14:14 HOURS B/O/O E.F.A.O. W/F RESPONSE @ 14:16 HOURS B/O/O E.F.A.O. S/C #1 AT 14:34 HOURS B/O/O BATTALION CHIEF 6 STILL ALARM COMPANIES RESPONDING ENGINES 123/65 TOWER LADDER 39 LADDER {TRUCK} 52 SQUAD 5/5A C.V. 274 BATTALION CHIEF 6 W/F RESPONSE COMPANIES RESPONDING BATTALION 15 {SAFETY} BATTALION 14 {RIT} EMS FO 456/455 AMBULANCE 78/68 LADDER {TRUCK} 33 {RIT} S/C #1 COMPANY RESPONDING O.F.I. 469
more photos at #chicagoareafire.com