On Wednesday evening, Chicago firefighters responded to a fire at Andy’s Deli located at 5442 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Upon arrival, the first units found a fire in a commercial building and faced challenges securing water due to frozen hydrants in the area. Because of concerns about the roof's structural integrity, the incident was escalated to a 2-11 alarm. Firefighters used two tower ladders and Squad 2’s Snorkel to apply water from their buckets, while Truck 55 deployed a master stream from its aerial ladder.
A Mobile Ventilation Unit (MVU) from Engine 106 was called in and deployed to Sector 1. The unit helped push the fire toward the rear and through the roof, allowing firefighters to access the fire from above. This strategy was crucial as much of the roof remained intact, making direct interior access difficult.
Photographers Steve Redick and Larry Shapiro captured the scene. You can view Larry Shapiro’s gallery here, and Steve Redick’s gallery here. Below are some of the images taken during the event.
The Chicago Tribune covered the incident in a brief article here.
A view of Sector 1 shows smoke but no visible fire. Since much of the roof remained intact, space was cleared out to allow access for the Mobile Ventilation Unit. Larry Shapiro photo
Since the fire was in the center of the building and the roof was largely intact, the MVU 9-2-3 was setup in front of the building to fan the fire so that firefighters could attack it without entering the premises. Larry Shapiro photo
A view from the alley shows heavy smoke pushing out of the rear because of the MVU on the street in front. Larry Shapiro photo
Engine 119 had a hydrant at one end of the alley where it meets Menard. Sewers were blocked and a large amount of water built up in the alley and down Menard. Larry Shapiro photo
Engine 83 brought Light Wagon 9-1-3 to the scene, as one is due at each 2-11 alarm fire in the city. Towards the end of the event, it was brought to Sector 1 and put to work offering firefighters greater visibility to direct handlines deep into the building from the sidewalk. Larry Shapiro photo
As companies began to break down their lines, most encountered hose with water that had frozen. They had to wrestle with the rigid hose to get it onto the engines and in some cases along the aerial bed of ladders for the trip back to quarters. There, companies repacked with new hose and dealt with the frozen hose in whatever manner they could. Larry Shapiro photo
Engine 108 has frozen hose propped over the top of the engine for the careful trip back to quarters. Larry Shapiro photo
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