Chicago FD Canteen 4-0-0 reported to the EFAO yesterday morning (8/10/17) around 4AM of (2), 2-sty frames going at 840 w 53rd Place. Canteen 4-0-2 was a block away at a SWAT call with CPD. Engine 49 arrived and went defensive on a 1.5-sty frame totally involved extending to a 2.5-sty frame to the west. Engine 50, in their new rig, was 2nd up and had numerous lines off. Companies had water problems and the box engines ended up dropping and feeding the attack engines from blocks away. Tower 39 really worked hard, taking the boards off most of the 2nd floor windows, making holes in the roof, and on the front of the building. Squad 5 was in the alley being fed by Engine 116. Towers 39 and 37 were both in spare tower ladders. I arrived after the 2-11, it was very over grown around both of the buildings.
Here are some images taken at Chicago’s 2-11 alarm at 9650 S. Ewing Ave. 4/15/17. Apparently was a gas explosion. There were two transports and one was reported in very grave condition. Lighting was not optimal for taking pictures of the new snorkel but the pictures still give you a good idea of what the scene was like. Most of the fire load was in the rear and the snorkel was backed down the alley and placed in a vacant lot on the C/D corner. Eventually they relocated the snorkel to the front of the building and burned the roof off. There is also a short video of them setting up Squad 5A. Eric Haak
Here are some images from Sunday morning’s 2-11 on the West Side of Chicago. Engine 117 and the tower arrived and found heavy fire in the rear and in the attic of a 2.5 story balloon frame. Battalion 18 quickly requested a Still & Box and 2-2-4 requested a 2-11 a short time later. The fire got into the D-side exposure building but that structure was largely saved by the companies operating on scene. Tower 14 and Squad 2 worked elevated master streams, and several handlines were utilized as well.
At 0715 hrs this morning (1/8), the Chicago Fire Department was called to 4734 W. Huron for a fire in a 20×70, 2.5-sty frame apartment building. Engine 117 landed less than a minute after being dispatched and confirmed they had a fire. Battalion 18 arrived on scene moments later and reported back porches that had extended into the first and second floor of the original fire building with the “D” side exposure also involved and asked for a still & box. The alarm would eventually be elevated to a 2-11. Temperatures were once again in the single digits this morning. Eric Haak