Chicago, IL 3-11 at Cullerton and Morgan October 9th, 1988

I took this fire in from Hoffman Estates as soon as I heard the still and box. (thank God there was no traffic on the Kennedy Expressway). This was a vacant 6-story factory, 200×150, and they had heavy fire on the 5th and 6th floors when I arrived.

There were several special calls that eventually brought ALL six tower ladders to the scene and all six were set-up and working simultaneously.  They would use 6-TLs, 2-ladder pipes and 1 Snorkel along with several handlines to bring this fire under control. TL39 and TL21 were on Morgan street. TL14 was in the rear off Morgan next to Trk 4. Squad 1 was at the corner of Cullerton and Morgan. TL10, TL62, and TL23 were set-up along Morgan Street.

I was lucky enough that the shot with the nose of Squad 1 in the foreground and the corner of the building with heavy fire was on the cover of Firehouse Magazine in May of 1989.

These were all shot on Kodachrome 200, they were scanned and run through Lightroom 5 to adjust the exposures.

John Tulipano

Chicago Squad 1 about to put their Snorkel to work. John Tulipano photo

Heavy fire consumes the upper floors. John Tulipano photo

The massive fire seen from a block away. John Tulipano photo

One of Chicago’s Snorkel Squads working. John Tulipano photo

Engine 14 was running this American LaFrance Century Series. John Tulipano photo

Two tower ladders,a ladder pipe and a Snorkel are setup on this street. John Tulipano photo

5-11 rundown.