The Newport Township FPD (IL)was called at 3:30PM on Thursday (1-23-14) for a house fire at 38591 Arbor Court in Wadsworth. First arriving companies found fire in a large two and three-story house at the end of dead-end street in a sub-division without hydrants. The alarm was quickly upgraded to a Box Alarm as companies went to work with an interior attack supplied by one of Newport’s pumper/tankers.
Companies had to abandon the interior attack as the fire spread rapidly. Within minutes the alarm was upgraded to a 2nd alarm, then a 3rd alarm, and eventually a 4th alarm bringing companies from throughout Lake County (IL) and neighboring Kenosha County in Wisconsin.
An extensive tanker shuttle was put into operation with three portable tanks dropped roughly 2,000 feet from the fire building, at Cashmere Road and Crabapple Drive. At least 10 tankers were deployed, as they had to travel over 3 miles to fill and return.
The 4th alarm was struck out just after 7PM.
I was one of several photographers at the scene. Other photos and a video will follow.
Three portable tanks were used for the tanker shuttle. Larry Shapiro photo
A long hose lay from the water supply, through two engines pumping inline, to the engine in the driveway. Larry Shapiro photo
Four tankers refill their tanks before returning to the dump site. Larry Shapiro photo
The house was situated at the end of a long driveway on a dead-end street surround by a heavily wooded area. Larry Shapiro photo
The first-due pumper/tanker in the driveway with multiple lines off. Larry Shapiro photo
Fire burns through the garage attic. Larry Shapiro photo
Fire consumes the first floor of the house. Larry Shapiro photo
A pumper/tanker from Pleasant Prairie, WI pumps at the base of the driveway. Larry Shapiro photo
Steam rises from water dumped from the tankers. Two engines are drafting. Larry Shapiro photo
More images are HERE. Additional images will follow this post along with a video from the scene.