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Wheeling Box Alarm 8-22-11
The Wheeling Fire Department received a call around 2:30 AM from a resident of a townhouse on Fall Court in the Cedar Run development, reporting smoke in their building. The structure consists of four units, two of which were unoccupied at the time. Upon arrival, Wheeling Police officers observed flames on the west side of the building. Before any fire crews arrived, the alarm was upgraded to a Code 4 working fire, prompting additional units from Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, and Long Grove to respond.
Engine 24 was the first fire unit on scene and pulled into the dead-end court. Engine 23 quickly followed and connected to a hydrant to supply water to Engine 24. The fire was located in a second-floor unit that had been in foreclosure, featuring a private entrance with stairs on the west side of the building. Firefighters initially knocked down the fire at the doorway but had to retreat when the stairway became unstable. They then used a ground ladder to access the second floor and found that part of the kitchen floor had collapsed, with fire still burning beneath it.
As the situation escalated, the alarm was elevated to a Box Alarm due to concerns that the fire might spread along the exterior wall and into the shared attic space. Additional units from Deerfield, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Palatine, Northbrook, and Prospect Heights responded, but they were soon released as the fire remained contained within the original unit.
Larry Shapiro, a local photographer, arrived shortly after the main fire was extinguished and captured several images of the incident. He has shared a gallery of photos, offering a visual record of the response and aftermath. His photos show firefighters forcing entry into a neighboring unit, cutting through an overhead garage door, and accessing the second-floor unit via a ground ladder. Other images highlight Engine 24's position in the 'A' Sector and Engine 23 laying a supply line from the hydrant.
According to Shapiro’s photos, the fire originated in the wall between the garage and the front entryway, causing significant damage to the internal structure. Despite the intensity of the fire, no injuries were reported, and the cause is under investigation. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection and rapid emergency response in residential areas.