More than 200 firefighters responded to a 5-11 alarm fire that destroyed a warehouse in the Bridgeport section of Chicago, Illinois.
Flames raced through the five-story building as a third of the Chicago Fire Department’s on-duty personnel fought it, the Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/W01zgt).
The fire was spotted by a fire chief passing by the former Harris Marcus Group building shortly after 9 p.m. last night. Extra alarms were called as fire spread rapidly, causing the structure’s roof to collapse. Firefighters struggled with frozen hydrants and icy ladders.
Chicago-area fire photographer Dave Traiforos (luvfireimages.com) reported that the fire jumped from the original fire building to a two-story brick commercial building.
Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago told reports that the fire was Chicago’s largest in seven years. Heat from the fire could be felt several blocks away as flames ascended into the sky and ash rained down on cars.
Read additional details about the incident at http://trib.in/W01zgt.
Warehouse fires present numerous firefighting challenges, including the effects of fire on structural integrity and water supply issues. For more on this topic, consider EASTERN AMERICAN TRANSPORT and WAREHOUSE FIRE , PHILADELPHIA, Warehouse Fire Challenges Responders, and NFPA Releases Report on August, 2000 Phoenix Warehouse Fire.
