Later in the alarm a fireground event, described as a smoke explosion, backdraft or possibly a collapse created a tremendous sudden push of smoke and heat from the building. I captured some images of conditions in the front of the building just as this occurred, and also got some images of the RIT deploying in response to a brief mayday that was declared.
The east side of the building had an overhead door, and when the event happened a large rush of heat , smoke, fire, and air vented out of this opening, injuring 3 members. I believe all are ok, with some minor injuries. I don’t believe the RIT actually performed any actual rescue as the injured members were upright in short order. I personally think a large portion of the roof came down causing this rapid exit of fire gasses … mind you just my opinion … I am not qualified to truly judge what actually happened.
Steve Redick
![Chicago FD Tower Ladder 23](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3448-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3543-566x600.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3518-400x600.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2173-600x338.jpg)
Tim Olk photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2192-600x450.jpg)
Tim Olk photo
![firefighters at commercial fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3476-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3417-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3418-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3419-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![heavy smoke from commercial building fire in Chicago](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3420-600x400.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![RIT deployed at fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3424-600x412.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![RIT deployed at fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3423-600x442.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![RIT deployed at fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/7C4A3422-600x442.jpg)
Steve Redick photo
![firemen injured at fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2205-600x413.jpg)
Tim Olk photo
![firemen injured at fire scene](https://firescenes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/IMG_2206-600x396.jpg)
Tim Olk photo