HISTORIC FIRES

historic fire scene photos from many years ago

For #TBT – Here are some old photos from an extra-alarm fire in Philadelphia just after Thanksgiving in 2004 (possible 2000)

Larry Shapiro

#firescenes.net; #TBT; #larryshapiro; #shapirophotography.net; #PhiladelphiaFD;
Larry Shapiro photo
#firescenes.net; #TBT; #larryshapiro; #shapirophotography.net; #PhiladelphiaFD;
Larry Shapiro photo
#firescenes.net; #TBT; #larryshapiro; #shapirophotography.net; #FireTruck; #PhiladelphiaFD;
Larry Shapiro photo
#firescenes.net; #TBT; #larryshapiro; #shapirophotography.net; #PhiladelphiaFD;
Larry Shapiro photo

Thanks to Steve Redick for submitting this: 6-22-53, 4-11 Alarm fire at 2349 Harrison Street in Chicago

Ahrens Fox fire engine at historic Chicago building fire
Vintage photo of a massive 4-11 Alarm fire at 2349 S Harrison in Chicago 6/22/53

Fire destroyed a commercial building belonging to Kellenberger Plumbing at 37W507 Big Timber Road in unincorporated Elgin, IL – the Rutland-Dundee Township FPD 4/24/19.

Kellenberger Plumbing fire
Michael Paige photo
Kellenberger Plumbing fire
Michael Paige photo
Kellenberger Plumbing fire
Michael Paige photo
Kellenberger Plumbing fire
Michael Paige photo
Kellenberger Plumbing fire
Michael Paige photo

more photos and a video at chicagoareafire.com

Historic photos from Steve Redick of Chicago’s 85′ Snorkel at work during a 5-11 Alarm fire at 615 W. 81st Street 8/1/87.

Chicago FD 84' Seagrave Snorkel at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD 84' Seagrave Snorkel at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD 84' Seagrave Snorkel at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD 84' Seagrave Snorkel at work

Steve Redick photo

Chicago FD 84' Seagrave Snorkel at work

Steve Redick photo

This was a real dandy. The Fire Alarm office calltaker and dispatcher was the late Dick Hyland. You can also hear Bob Phelan as well as Matt Tomlin briefly on the radio and Al Andersen was the switchboard guy that handled most of the radio stuff. I took this job in. What a night this was! The DDC was Ed Altman way before his commissioner days and the responding District Chief was Louis Galante (which explains why this wasn’t a 5-11). Some other voices you may find familiar Jim Corbett on truck 12, Bob Welch as “3a”, Bill O’Boyle on Squad 1.

I’m sure there are many more to be recognized upon further review. This fire turned into a real spectacle. It ignited a scrapyard at 14th & State that went to a box and it also burned up El ties along the tracks for about 2 blocks. To top it off Snorkel 1 got stuck in the partially raised position and members had to be rescued via ground ladder as the radiant heat was getting brutal. After the building collapsed they found a guy who was sleeping in a vehicle next to the fire building who had to be extricated with a hurst tool since the car was squashed by the falling wall.

I was standing too close at the time of the collapse and as I was running saw a member get knocked down by flying bricks. I believe he broke his leg … a narrow miss for me.  This was a real all time classic job. I will never forget it.

Steve Redick

 

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

massive fire in Chicago

Steve Redick photo

January 2, 1962. Western at Harrison in Chicago @ 8:30 am. Fire was in the 3-story Acorn Luggage factory and went to a 4-11. The first image is looking North towards the old Crane Junior College (high school still there but the building you see in the image is gone). You can also see the old Chicago Stadium off in the far distance. Second image looking across Western to the Southeast. Final image showing Snorkels working in the alley or what today would be called the “C” side. The truck company parked on Western looks to be 19 and I am only going off of what the number looks like on the door. Our staff historians will correct me if I’m wrong. If you look closely in the background, you can see the huge Phillips 66 neon sign that used to sit over the Eisenhower and the old Harris Bank Christmas billboard on top of one of the exposure buildings. Hope you enjoy this for #throwbackthursday. Eric Haak

vintage 4-11 alarm fir in Chicago 1962

January 2, 1962. Western at Harrison @ 8:30 am. Fire was in the 3-story Acorn Luggage factory and went to a 4-11. Eric Haak collection

vintage 4-11 alarm fir in Chicago 1962

January 2, 1962. Western at Harrison @ 8:30 am. Fire was in the 3-story Acorn Luggage factory and went to a 4-11. Eric Haak collection

vintage 4-11 alarm fire in Chicago 1962

January 2, 1962. Western at Harrison @ 8:30 am. Fire was in the 3-story Acorn Luggage factory and went to a 4-11. Eric Haak collection