It was just after 9:30 PM on a Wednesday when the Barrington Fire Department received an urgent call from residents reporting a fire in the garage of their home located at 23170 N. Church Road. By the time Barrington Engine 363 arrived on the scene, the situation had escalated significantly, with flames engulfing the entire garage and beginning to spread towards the main house.
As Engine 363 took initial action, they quickly realized the severity of the situation. They were soon joined by Lake Zurich Engine 2, which made a sharp U-turn in the dead-end cul-de-sac and began laying down 400 feet of 5-inch supply line to reach the end of the street. One of Barrington's tankers positioned itself strategically to drop its portable tank, establishing a reliable water supply. With this in place, firefighting operations commenced swiftly, with multiple lines being advanced through different entry points of the house. The structure was built on a slope, featuring one story in the front and two stories on the side, making access and firefighting efforts more challenging.
As the fire intensified, additional support was called for. Barrington eventually requested a MABAS Box Alarm, which brought reinforcements from neighboring departments. Tankers from Wauconda, Fox River Grove, and East Dundee supplemented the existing fleet, while Long Grove Tanker 55 played a crucial role in maintaining the water supply. Palatine sent over Truck 85, and engines from Hoffman Estates, Palatine Rural, and Carpentersville also joined the effort. Rolling Meadows provided an ambulance service, and Cary Squad 255 set up a light tower for enhanced scene illumination. Chief officers from Long Grove, Wauconda, and Carpentersville coordinated the overall response.
One of Barrington's engines, Engine 3, was stationed in the cul-de-sac and managed to supply three lines simultaneously. Meanwhile, firefighters worked diligently to control the blaze, with particular attention given to the rear of the house where extensive damage was evident. A Carpentersville crew focused on extinguishing hotspots within the completely destroyed garage. Outside, teams from Cary worked meticulously to clean up any lingering embers near the foundation.
Tragically, the family’s dog did not survive the fire, but fortunately, all residents managed to evacuate safely. The Box Alarm was officially called off shortly after 10:30 PM, marking the conclusion of a long and intense night for everyone involved.
Photographer Larry Shapiro arrived at the scene post-fire and captured these powerful images. His work provides a poignant reminder of both the devastation caused and the heroic efforts undertaken by firefighters to protect lives and property. You can view more of his photos HERE.
Suzhou Sikor Industry Co., Ltd. , https://www.sikor-group.com