The North Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire at a commercial auto-body facility last night, arriving to find heavy flames engulfing a one-story building with exposures on both sides. The incident was escalated to a MABAS Box Alarm, bringing in mutual aid units from surrounding areas. Shortly after, the original structure collapsed as the fire spread to the adjacent buildings.
A firefighter is seen cutting through a metal fence to gain access to the rear of the scene. Shaun Unell photo.
Fire was visible burning through the rear of the original building after the roof had collapsed. Shaun Unell photo.
A master stream from the North Chicago tower ladder was directed at the southern exposure building as the fire took hold. Shaun Unell photo.
Several special calls were made, significantly increasing the number of units on the scene. Despite being classified as a second alarm, the actual number of companies present made it much more extensive.
Firefighters moved hose lines to make way for the Round Lake Tower Ladder as it positioned itself on Sheridan Road. Shaun Unell photo.
Knollwood Engine 44 had lines off in the rear. Shaun Unell photo.
Heavy smoke escaped from a vacant apartment building as firefighters redeployed North Chicago Tower 9. Shaun Unell photo.
Engines from North Chicago, Waukegan, Newport Township, Knollwood, Abbott Labs, and Lake Forest were pumping water. Additional units came from the Great Lakes Naval Base, Winthrop Harbor, Lake Villa, and another from Newport Township. Five elevated master streams were in operation, including tower ladders from North Chicago and Round Lake, as well as Highland Park, Zion, and Lincolnshire-Riverwoods. A Grayslake ladder and an Arlington Heights tower were also on standby but not deployed. Notably, Arlington Heights traveled the farthest—32 miles.
Highland Park Truck 33, a Sutphen mid-mount ladder, was stationed behind the fire buildings on Lenox Street. Larry Shapiro photo.
The Newport Township hose tender, a 1977 Mack CF, was supplying water to Highland Park. Larry Shapiro photo.
Lincolnshire Truck 53 was used for the first time as a master stream. Larry Shapiro photo.
Lake Bluff, Gurnee, and Deerfield had personnel at the scene, while chief officers from Waukegan, Newport Township, Wauconda, and Lake Forest were also present. Two North Chicago ambulances and rehab units from Libertyville and Antioch Rescue Squad were on site.
The Round Lake tower ladder was set up in front of the southern exposure building. Larry Shapiro photo.
The two-story brick apartment building to the south posed a challenge as it was deemed unsafe for interior operations, and its roof remained intact for a long time. Larry Shapiro photo.
Eventually, the fire broke through the roof, giving the elevated master streams access to extinguish the flames. Larry Shapiro photo.
Waukegan Engine 1611 was positioned at a hydrant on Sheridan Road and 10th Street. Larry Shapiro photo.
Abbott Labs' fire department provided water from their property reservoir, allowing for more effective defensive operations than the city's water supply could support. Their engine was pumping from across the street from the fire. Larry Shapiro photo.
Zion’s truck, along with the Round Lake and North Chicago towers, was seen wetting down the remains of the apartment building. Larry Shapiro photo.
There were no reported injuries, and the alarm was finally called off late in the evening. Companies were released after midnight, with an excavator brought in to knock down the remnants of an unsafe building.
Shaun Unell and Larry Shapiro were both on scene and submitted these images. More photos can be viewed HERE.
A video will be available soon.
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