Elmhurst police and firefighter/paramedics responded about 1:37 PM Thursday to a report of smoke in the area of VIP Occasions, 351 North York St, Elmhurst, Il. Police and firefighter/paramedics received a report of smoke in the area of VIP Occasions — a well-known bridal shop and formal wear business.
The fire destroyed the building and contents, but no injuries were initially reported.
VIDEO: Coverage of the extra-alarm fire at VIP Occasions Thursday afternoon by The Elmhurst Titan (elmhurst-titan.com).
The call was apparently initiated as a smoke investigation. Tower Ladder 1’s crew on scene reported smoke showing from the north door, and then heavy smoke showing from the building at 1:37 p.m.
Engine 1’s crew on arrival reported a one-story commercial occupancy with heavy smoke showing from the front of the building on York Street. Tower Ladder 1’s crew led out with a cross-lay hose.
Battalion Chief 1 requested police shut down York Street.
Engine 2’s crew was assigned to the rear of the building for heavy smoke that was showing at the rear of the building (east side) as well.
Engine 2 requested a MABAS Box Alarm by 1:44 p.m.
Firefighters had two lines applying water on the fire by 1:48 p.m.
The fire was through the roof by about 2:15 p.m. — or possibly a little before 2:15 p.m.
Three elevated streams from ladder trucks were positioned on the front (west side), northwest corner, and south side. Initially two multi-versals (street-mounted heavy streams) were positioned at the front of the building by 2:22 p.m.
A multi-versal was positioned at the southwest corner by 2:24 p.m.
Wind from the West, about 15 mph, was blowing smoke across the east side attack firefighters, making visibility difficult.
Two multi-versals were positioned on the rear, west side.
An exposure, a 2-story frame house, was located on the north side of the burning building.
The elevated master stream was shut down on Side D, and apparently AFFF foam with third multi-versal added to tactics on fron west side of the building by 3:03 p.m.
All three elevated streams, and possibly all streams on the ground were shut down by 3:16 p.m. Apparently firefighter were letting the inside load burn, which was located mostly toward the south side of the building, away from the exposure on the north side.
Exposures were also located on the east side, but a greater distance from the actual fire.
Excellent live aerial coverage was provided by ABC Chopper 7 HD for over 60 minutes, but the helicopter apparently had to depart for fuel about 3:20 p.m. [ABC 7 CHICAGO REPORT WITH VIDEO]
Fire command report he will probably hold the fire at a 2nd Alarm level.
Command reported the roof came in, and that crews were still working on hot spots. Command expected firefighters would be working for “some time.”
Utilities were reported on scene and standing by at about 4:37 p.m. Nicor was seen arriving in the area with an excavator about 3:22 p.m.
EQUIPMENT RUNDOWN
UNITS ASSIGNED FOR SMOKE INVESTIGATION …
TRUCK(S): TL1
GENERAL ALARM UNITS ASSIGNED at 1:37 p.m. for a structure fire.
ENGINE(S): E1 E2 Northlake E806 Villa Park E82?
TRUCK(S): TL1 TL2 TL17 Bensenville Truck
SQUAD(S): SQD77
RIT: BC ?? T ??
CHIEF(S): BC1 C1 C72 C77 Villa Park C81 Deputy 1
EMS: M1 M2
MABAS Division 12 Box Alarm activated on Box #3014 for a commercial structure fire at about 1:47 p.m.
BOX UNITS ASSIGNED …
ENGINE(S): Addison E72, Franklin Park
TRUCK(S): Hillside, Addison Q71
SQUAD(S): Downers Grove
EMS: Leyden Medic
CHIEF(S): Oak Brook Chief 94
SPECIAL: Division 12 rehab (Hanover Park)
CHANGE OF QUARTERS: Ladder 94, Itasca E66, Berkeley Medic, Lombard E45, Westmont Squad
STAGING: YORK RD south of fire scene
2ND ALARM AT 2:07 PM
ENGINE(S): Lombard E45
TRUCK(S): Hinsdale TL84
SQUAD(S): Westmont 1826
EMS: Stone Park
CHIEF(S): Stone Park Chief 44
SPECIAL: Mobile Command 1
CHANGE OF QUARTERS: Westchester Engine, Broadview Squad
The MABAS BOX ALARM (2nd Level) was struck out at 5:34 p.m.
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