VIDEO: Extra-alarm fire destroys Lower West Side Chicago apartment house, spreads to neighboring homes

PHOTOS: A fireball shot into the sky Thursday evening as an apartment house went up in flames in Pilsen. Firefighters were called to the scene at 8:15 p.m., and found flames raging at the two-and-a-half-story, multi-family frame house at 1355 W. 16th St., Chicago Fire Department Assistant 1st District Chief Jim McDonough said The building was vacant and was being remodeled at the time, he said. Firefighters immediately launched a blitz attack – directing two hose lines on the house while protecting nearby homes. The Fire Department raised a 2-11 alarm for additional equipment and manpower. A 2-11 alarm brings 32 pieces of fire equipment and just short of 100 firefighters, McDonough explained. The fire did spread to two nearby buildings to the east and west – both of them constructed from a wood frame with a brick veneer, and both of them occupied, McDonough said.
WBBM-TV CBS 2 Chicago

Two buildings suffer heavy damage in Mt. Morris fire

PHOTOS/VIDEO: A fire heavily damaged two buildings on N. Wesley Ave. in Mt. Morris on Tuesday. At 1:32 p.m., a fire was reported at a two-story building located at 1 N. Wesley Avenue in Mt. Morris. Smoke and fire were seen upon arrival by Mt. Morris Fire Department. The fire roared through the aging, poorly maintained building, fanned by strong winds. Occupants told firefighters that everyone had safely exited the building. Nearby businesses at 3 North Wesley Ave. and 4 East Main St. were evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters used multiple hoses, monitors, and ladder trucks to bring the fire under control by 3:45 p.m. Due to the lack of a fire wall, the fire spread between 1 North Wesley Avenue and 3 North Wesley Ave. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:00 p.m. and most assisting fire companies released by 7:00 p.m.
WREX-TV NBC 13 Rockford

One Juvenile Hospitalized Following Joliet House Fire, Six Treated for Smoke Inhalation at the Scene

PHOTOS: At 4:50 p.m. on April 16th, Joliet Fire Department responded to 427 Liberty St. for reports of a structure fire. The first units arrived within 4 minutes of the call and were met with heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of a 2-story single family dwelling. Multiple hose lines were used to extinguish the fire. All residents were able to get out of the building and one juvenile was transported to Silver Cross for evaluation with minor injuries. Six people were also treated for minor smoke inhalation by paramedics on the scene. Two adjacent houses suffered exposure damage from the fire. Other crews performed water supply, search, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, safety and support functions. Crews were on the scene for approximately two hours.
WJOL-AM 1340 Joliet

Fully staffed and ready to help, how fire chaplains serve Peoria departments and the community

VIDEO: In October of 2023, Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger announced the new Fire Chaplain Program and its leader, Chaplain William Preston. On Tuesday, all twelve stations have their very own chaplain. The mission, to provide mental and emotional support to firefighters during and after trauma. But that’s not all, they are there for the community as they go through, potentially, the worst day of their life. House fires, medical calls, anywhere they are needed, they respond. Modeled from the Peoria Police Department’s chaplain program, Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger thought it would be a great idea to have someone available for his crew and the community. “This unique concept, you know, chaplains responding with fire units on the scene, you know, mirroring that same concept with PD, knowing that fire and police do two totally different jobs, both public sector, both first responders,” he said.
WMBD-TV CBS 31 Peoria