Harvey Fire Department
All posts tagged Harvey Fire Department
Lyons, IL Box Alarm hour fire:
Here is a synopsis of rigs that were working at the Lyons (IL) Box alarm on Maple Avenue Sunday. I was too late to get anything else. There were four rigs working on Maple in front of the fire building. Lyons Engine 1312 was directly in front with McCook Engine 1411 directly north of them. Riverside Truck 1629 was working directly to the south of 1312 and Bedford Park Truck 709 was set up directly to the south of them. Lyons Engine 1316 had a hydrant on the corner of Maple and 41st Place. From there, there was a long lead to the Cermak Quarry where Berwyn Engine 903 was drafting from the pond. Forest View Engine 813 was originally set up in that position but was not pumping. Finally, Lyons Engine 1311 had a hydrant at the corner of Joliet Road and Elm Avenue, a good two-plus blocks south of the fire building.
Harvey, IL Full Still Alarm house fire:
Just three quick shots from Harvey’s full still Sunday afternoon. I did not arrive in time to get much but with the nice sunlight and blue skies, I thought I would send in a couple of rig shots. Harvey’s first-in engine was the ex-Dixmoor Engine 33. Fire was in the rear porches and gave off an impressive header. Companies did a great job of keeping it out of the attic and keeping it from extending into the rest of the structure which was an occupied residence.
The Dixie Square Mall opened in the south Chicago suburb of Harvey back in 1966 and at the time, it featured all of the “modern” comforts of a beautiful shopping center. When looking at pictures from it’s grand opening, it is hard to believe that this could happen, but instead of becoming a mainstay of the community, the mall closed in 1978 and became better known for it’s appearance in the classic movie The Blues Brothers. Yes, it is the mall that Jake and Elwood drove through during the mall chase scene.
It sat vacant for over 30 years and had many small fires set in it over that period. On a hot July evening back in 2009, a larger fire was set in what used to be the mall’s center foyer. It spread across the wooden eaves of the old J.C. Penney store which is the larger structure you see in the images. There wasn’t much drama at this one and most of the work was done by Harvey’s tower ladder.
There were some interesting long lead-outs as hydrants were quite a distance away. With temperatures in the mid-90’s and no exposure issues, companies took their time accessing these hydrants to supply the tower and a few hand lines with water. It has since been torn down.
Eric Haak submitted a snowy winter fire from January of 2008.