On Friday, June 18, 2010 the Palatine Fire Department responded to two working structure fires. The first call for fire was received at 1634 hours (4:34 p.m.) for fire at the WINGS Resale Store located at 756 E. Northwest Hwy. The first crews on the scene 5 minutes later reported heavy smoke showing from the roof area. The building had a bowstring truss roof, a style which can fail rapidly when impinged by fire. Firefighters initially broke exterior windows and directed water from multiple lines up into the attic area from the outside of the building. Progress was being made until a nearby electric line fell onto the roof and energized the building. Firefighters had to withdraw due to safety concerns and 3 aerial streams were used to extinguish the fire. The building was a total loss.
Video immediately after electric line fell onto roof on the north side of the WINGS building, which energized the structure and further increased risk to firefighters.
The second fire call was received at 1732 hours (5:32 p.m.) for the report of a fire at 1451 N. Winslowe Dr., Unit #202. The first crews on the scene 8 minutes later reported heavy smoke and fire issuing from a rear second floor window. A Police officer had already evacuated the first and third floor prior to the fire department arrival. The Police officer was unable to get on the second floor due to the amount of smoke. Initial crews did assist one resident from the second floor. Multiple hose lines were brought inside the building to extinguish the fire. There were 3 adults and three children at home in the fire unit when the fire started but all made it out safely. There were no injuries reported. All residents of the 12 unit building were displaced by the fire. The fire unit suffered heavy smoke and fire damage.
Since so many Palatine Fire Department crews were operating at the first fire, a box alarm was pulled for the apartment fire. Fire apparatus from 14 fire departments were called to assist with the apartment fire and to provide coverage for the Village of Palatine. Fire apparatus from Long Grove and Rolling Meadows Fire Departments assisted at the WINGS fire.
The Fire Rehab Team from the Palatine Emergency Management Agency and the Palatine Emergency Response Team were also used at both structure fires. They assisted the firefighters by distributing water and sports drinks and directing traffic around the scene.
The causes of both fires are currently under investigation.