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current fire scene photos that are not NEWS

Detroit warehouse fire – March 2007

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 15, 2013
Posted in: FIre Scene photos, Fire Scene Video, PREVIOUS. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

Steve Redick submitted more from Detroit.

Detroit March 2007… fire in a warehouse … numerous explosions from chemical storage … the vacant lot we were standing in was a recently cleaned up haz mat site … little did we know!!

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Detroit Fire Department chemical fire at night

Steve Redick photo

Chicago Box Alarm fire – August, 2009

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 14, 2013
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More from the archives of Eric Haak in Chicago

The images seen here were taken on Chicago’s West Side in August, 2009.  I was only a half mile away from this incident when Chicago’s Main Fire Alarm Office dispatched companies.  I unfortunately did not hear the address correctly and went north instead of south which took me nearly a mile in the wrong direction.  I realized my error when Engine 44 reported a large 3-flat with heavy fire blowing out the windows on 2 and 3 and then saw a large header in my rear view mirror.  I recovered in time to still get some good shots, although I practically cry every time I think about what could have been.  This fire was on the 1000 block of North Lawndale in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood.

 

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Departmental at building fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Still & Box Alarm, July 2011

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 12, 2013
Posted in: Fire photos, FIre Scene photos, PREVIOUS. Tagged: , , , , . 4 comments

Another Chicago FD submission from the files of Eric Haak.

The following photos occurred on a very hot afternoon in early July, 2011.  Companies found heavy fire in the rear of a Chicago bungalow near the intersection of Homan & Augusta on Chicago’s West Side. First due companies upgraded the alarm to a Still & Box as the fire had spread to the occupied exposure to the north prior to their arrival.

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

As usual, this fire was knocked quickly and the initial companies prevented serious damage to the exposure with an aggressive attack.

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

 I am not sure but I believe that this last photo is of Kevin Casey, who appeared in the movie Backdraft.  Any help confirming this would be greatly appreciated.

Chicago Fire Department house fire

Eric Haak photo

Detroit working fire – October 2006

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 11, 2013
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Another Detroit job from Steve Redick

This fire was the same day as the last big Detroit job you posted. We found the fire and reported it immediately. Back porches on a mixed occupancy, tavern on the first floor apartments above. Apparently vacant. Embers were threatening a large church nearby. This was one of the first fires where I saw Detroit using PPV … it was reasonably effective in this instance.

 

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Detroit fire department battles house fire

Steve Redick photo

Chicago 3-11 Alarm fire, March 2007

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 10, 2013
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Another big fire in Chicago from Eric Haak.

The following photos are from a 3-11 alarm fire at a grocery store on Chicago’s South Side in March of 2007.  Smoke was reported coming from the rear loading dock area of the closed store at about 7:30 on a Sunday night.  The building was a large, 175 x 150, 1-story truss located at the intersection of 72nd and Exchange Streets.

Chicago Fire Department battles massive blaze

Eric Haak photo

The front of the building faced commuter rail tracks which made a tight squeeze for Tower Ladder 37 who operated from this position.

Chicago Fire Department battles massive blaze

Eric Haak photo

 I included a picture of the front of the building before the fire pushed through the entire structure to give perspective.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Once it did, fire conditions in this sector were very heavy.

Chicago Fire Department battles massive blaze

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department battles massive blaze

Eric Haak photo

Hand lines were led out into the 4-story apartment building in sector 4, and companies used this position to get water on the fire from the windows of this building, which you can see in this view from the rear of the building.

Chicago Fire Department battles massive blaze

Eric Haak photo

Fatal fire in Harvey, IL – January 2008

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 8, 2013
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Eric Haak submitted a snowy winter fire from January of 2008.

This fire occurred in late January, 2008 in Harvey, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago.  There was a driving lake effect snow storm that evening which produced very thick, heavy snow flakes. For those who are not from Chicago, we regularly get snow that comes in off Lake Michigan when the atmosphere is right. When this happens it often creates blizzard-like conditions.

Harvey Fire Department fatal house fire

Eric Haak photo

Similar to Gary, Indiana or Detroit, Michigan, the suburb of Harvey has seen it’s better days and today shows all of the signs of the blight created when the economic engines of the past have long moved on. The department runs out of 4 stations and has 57 career members.

Harvey Fire Department fatal house fire

Eric Haak photo

Harvey Fire Department fatal house fire

Eric Haak photo

On this particular evening, the Harvey Fire Department came across water issues when they arrived on the scene.  When I arrived, the fire had already consumed most of the 1.5-story frame and the attention had turned to protecting the exposures.  Unfortunately, this incident resulted in one fatality.

Harvey Fire Department fatal house fire

Eric Haak photo

Harvey Fire Department fatal house fire

Eric Haak photo

Still & Box Alarm fire in Chicago, September 2009

Posted by firescenesadmin on October 6, 2013
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Thanks to Eric Haak for another submission, this time from a fire in Chicago

Here is another great example of a fire originating in back porches and going on to nearly consume an entire structure.

This occurred back in September, 2009 near the corner of 56th and Justine in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s south side.  Engine 116 called for a Still & Box as they pulled up to this 2.5 story, 25 x 50 frame as it was communicating to the occupied 2.5 story, 25 x 100 frame to the south.  The “rear porches” were fully involved and fire was already extending into the attic.

Chicago fire engine 116 in front of burning building

Eric Haak photo

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

As companies made entry, fire could be seen venting from the windows and ceiling just above them.  The attic and second floor eventually became fully involved and there was an emergency evacuation ordered as the roof collapsed while companies worked inside.

Chicago Fire Department

Eric Haak photo

Tower Ladder 39 was set up to snuff out the remaining fire in the attic which was eventually completely consumed.  While fire did get into the southern exposure, companies did a great job of getting to that quickly and the damage to this building was held to a minimum.

Chicago firemen overhaul room

Eric Haak photo

Chicago firemen talk after fighting fire

Eric Haak photo

The kids from the neighborhood had a lot of questions about what it is like to be inside of the burning building and this member entertained them with his great answers.

Chicago fireman talks to kids after fighting fire

Eric Haak photo