Larry Shapiro

All posts tagged Larry Shapiro

Here’s the video from Chicago’s 4-11 Alarm fire on Friday.

I took in the a 4-11 Alarm yesterday at Peterson & Lincoln on the north end of the city. I wasn’t too far away, otherwise rush hour traffic and the location probably would have stopped me from taking this in.  The first response was for a report of smoke on the roof. The Still Alarm engine, (71) reported a fire and requested a Box Alarm.  When the Deputy District Chief 2-2-2 arrived, he upgraded to a 2-11 Alarm, which was followed later by the 3-11 and then finally the 4-11. Additionally, two additional trucks and one additional tower ladder were called to the scene.

Engine 71 had a deck gun going in Sector 4 on Albany and they really had a fight on their hands with massive fire and smoke to contend with. Eventually they had to move to a more secure spot. Three tower ladders, one truck, and Squad 2’s Snorkel had elevated master streams deployed in addition to several multi-versals and hand lines. Four stores were destroyed by the fire and at least one more sustained heavy damage from smoke and the fire department’s efforts to stop the fire from traveling further.

Roofers working at the time are a probable cause for this fire.

I am working a a video which will post when it’s completed.

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Another early view of the scene with heavy smoke and some fire visible. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Roofing supplies are visible as smoke belches from every vent and crevice. . Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

An early view of the scene with fire traveling along the rear of the stores. . Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Squad 2’s Snorkel waits for water. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Chicago Engine 71 faces down a wall of fire. . Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Chicago Truck 38 rigs the line for an elevated stream. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Engine 71 operating the deck gun. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Engine 71 is dwarfed by the massive flames. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Massive fireball erupts from the roof of the building covered with roofing materials. . Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Another fireball, this time in the center of the building. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Heavy fire in the furniture store and through the roof. . Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Heavy fire and smoke spills over on the east side of the fire building. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

One of three tower ladders sets up. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

Chicago Tower Ladder 23 sets up to go to work. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

A view of Sector 1 after the Snorkel went to work. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

A fireball erupts behind the tower ladder. Larry Shapiro photo

massive 4-11 alarm fire destroys stores on Chicago's north side

The mattress store is gutted. An early view of the scene with fire traveling along the rear of the stores. Larry Shapiro photo

A large gallery of images can be viewed on my site.

Since we have a short gap in recent fire submissions, I thought I’d share this fire from a trip to Camden, NJ in April of 2009. I was spending the night tour with Camden’s Rescue Squad. Sometime after midnight, tones went out for fire in a vacant row house with occupied units on either side at 830 State Street. First arriving units reported a header and we knew we ‘d have a decent job. The fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm.

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night

The view as we approached the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night

The view looked much more dramatic from a distance since the bulk of the fire was in the rear. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night

Two of Camden’s Seagrave engines in the street as lines are pulled. Larry Shapiro photo

The involved unit had been boarded up tight which slowed the companies down briefly. Fire was in the rear, the first floor, and had traveled up to the second floor by the time we arrived. Coming down the street, we saw big flames, but as we walked up to the building, the fire that was through the roof in the rear became hard to see.

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

A fireman works on the plywood covers as the line is readied for entry. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

A line is readied in the rear. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

The line in front is adjusted. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden Seagrave Aerialscope

Camden Tower Ladder 3, a Seagrave Aerialscope. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

The first line is about to enter the vacant unit. Larry Shapiro photo

There was pretty good fire burning in the rear, and the 2nd-alarm engine was assigned that position. After attempting an aggressive interior attack, companies were eventually ordered out of the building and they went defensive. This fire was during a time when the city was not approving any overtime, so if manpower was below the minimums, units were shuttered for the shift. As a result, it was common to see suburban companies on the 2nd alarm, or even the box if units were busy on other alarms. None of the mutual aid companies were not put to work at this job. There were no injuries.

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

A supply line is prepared for Truck 3. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

The accountability board. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

Firemen work on the upper roof as another fireman pulls facia from the lower roof. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

Working from below, a fireman works to expose hidden fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

A section of the roof is pulled free. Larry Shapiro photo

Camden firemen battle 2-alarm fire at night in vacant row house

As fire took control of the second floor the attack went defensive. Larry Shapiro photo

There are more images from this fire in a gallery.

Fire broke out early Sunday afternoon in a six-unit townhouse in unincorporated Lake County (IL) which is protected by the Gurnee Fire Department. First arriving units encountered heavy fire from a middle unit and upgraded the alarm to a Box Alarm and then a 2nd Alarm as fire spread to adjacent units. Companies were able to stop the fire before it spread to the other units in the building.

Three firefighters were transported to area hospitals in good condition after being hit by falling debris inside the fire unit. No residents were injured.

Images are from multiple contributors.

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Firescenes.net photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Jacquie Silvestri photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Jacquie Silvestri photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Jacquie Silvestri photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Jacquie Silvestri photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

3 firefighters injured at 2-alarm fire in Gurnee IL 10-27-13

Larry Shapiro photo

 

More images can be viewed at my site shapirophotgraphy.net

Radio traffic can be found HERE.

 

Newport Township FPD firefighters were called to the scene of a house fire Wednesday morning on N. Mill Creek Road in Wadsworth, IL. The house was located at the end of a long driveway and was not visible from the wooded street.

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

Arriving units were unable to see the fire  in the rear of the structure until they got all the way to the house. Since the area is without hydrants, the alarm was upgraded immediately to a Box Alarm, then to a 2nd Alarm shortly thereafter. One engine and a 75′ quint made it up the driveway and a relay operation was initiated from the street. Three portable tanks were used on the road as two engines supplied 5″ lines to the quint and the engine in the driveway.

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

As the fire overhead grew, companies had to pull out and resort to a defensive operation. Several hand lines and an aerial pipe were put into operation. Due to the water needs and the route tenders had to take to refill and return, the alarm was upgraded to a 4th Alarm for additional tenders.

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

large house fire in Wadsworth IL Newport Township FPD

Larry Shapiro photo

Seventeen Illinois departments responded to the fire along with eight departments from Wisconsin. There were a total of 16 water tenders, two aerials, two squads, and five engines.

With no new fires to post, I wanted to share images of this commercial fire from 2010 in Maywood, IL.

The fire was in a three-story building at 20 N. 5th Avenue that housed a thrift shop, a dance studio, and an apartment, which was located at the back of the building’s second floor. Before I arrived, a boy was rescued from the apartment.

It was a cold, rainy night with low hanging smoke, all of which combined for less than ideal conditions for photography.

Both of the aerials working at the scene were unique. First was the Maywood Spartan/Darley/Nova Quintech, which was one of only a few (possibly no more than three) Nova Quintechs in the entire Chicago area. The other was a one-of-a-kind American LaFrance/Grumman AerialCat from the town of Broadview.

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Maywood Fire Department 3-Alarm fire at 20 N 5th Avenue March 13 2010

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview Police and Fire Departments were called early this afternoon for an accident involving a garbage truck and an SUV which occurred at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and Harrison Street. The garbage truck, from the Village of Skokie, was fully loaded when it struck the other vehicle that reportedly crossed in it’s path. As the truck, which had a large plow assembly on the front, pushed the car along the parkway, the car rolled over and onto the roof. The truck came to rest on top of the car, and a fire ensued involving the cab of the truck and the car.

Three occupants were trapped in the car, all of whom perished. The truck driver was able to free himself from the truck and was apparently unharmed.

Glenview Engine 6 arrived on the scene and hit the fire with tank water through the deck gun and then a hand line was used to fully extinguish the fire and lay down a layer of foam.

An area resident who attempted to assist with a fire extinguisher was driven back by the intense heat.

Tray Cashman, who lives down the street, captured this video of Engine 6 arriving and hitting the fire.

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

Glenview crash with garbage truck kills 3

Larry Shapiro photo

More images are in this gallery.