Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Larry Kane presented a unit citation for bravery to members of Buffalo Grove Fire Department Tower Ladder 25. Lieutenant Daniel Downey, Firefighter Phillip Schroeder and Firefighter Kyle Ditthardt responded in August 2024 to an automatic mutual aid call into Arlington Heights for a structure fire at a 2-story condominium/apartment style unit where occupants on the second floor were trapped from smoke coming from a kitchen fire in an condo/apartment unit below them. Upon arriving on scene, the Tower Ladder 25 crew located four people who were on two balconies — one directly above the unit with the kitchen fire and one next-door on the secnd floor. Tower Ladder 25’s crew rescued the smoke-trapped occupants from balconies using two ladders outside, and prevented the occupants from having to breathe harmful smoke in the hallways of the building.
After rescuing these individuals, Lieutenant Downey and Firefighter Schroeder entered the building and completed a search while facing high heat and heavy smoke. They found no additional occupants. Arlington Heights firefighters found and rescued a fifth person — an injured woman from the first floor unit who suffered burn injuries from the kitchen fire, and was on the front porch when firefighters arrived.
The Buffalo Grove firefighters were recognized for their bravery, dedication, teamwork and quick thinking, which resulted in a positive outcome on the lives of four individuals.
Five people rescued: four on a balcony, and one found hurt on the front porch during a townhouse kitchen fire Arlington Heights; interview with Arlington Heights Fire Chief Lance Harris (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and Long Grove responded about 8:11 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 to a report of a kitchen fire in a townhouse in the block of 1500 Pheasant Trail Lane in Arlington Heights.
Multiple callers reported the fire. There was a report that at least three people were trapped. Police officers and firefighters arrived to find an injured woman on the front porch, and four people trapped on a second floor balcony on the west side of the building.
Firefighters initially led out with one line into the kitchen and immediately extinguished the kitchen fire. Arlington Heights Engine 4’s crew was assigned to the interior fire attack. A second hose line was also deployed, and firefighters also worked on searches for any possible victims. After rescuing the four people on two balconies, Buffalo Grove Tower 25’s crew completed searches in case of any additional unknown victims inside the building. Searches were complete and clear by 8:39 p.m. Rescues were completed by about 8:28 p.m.
A ground ladder was raised to the second floor balcony, and the main aerial from Arlington Heights Tower Ladder 1 was raised near the back of the townhouse, as well.
The unit on the second floor was not fully charged with smoke as firefighters joined the people waiting on the balcony, but there was hazardous smoke in the building. The Buffalo Grove firefighters from Tower 25 began to usher four people off the balcony to a ladder at about 8:22 p.m. The last two victims were rescued off the balcony by about 8:27 p.m., and all four victims were confirmed rescued off the balcony by 8:28 p.m.
The fire was reported knocked by 8:29 p.m. Firefighters were checking hot spots as late as 9:07 p.m.
Engine 3’s crew took over fire attack when Engine 4’s crew went for routine rehab.
Arlington Heights Squad 1’s crew and Palatine Tower 85’s crew were assigned as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). Ambulance 1’s crew was standby EMS.
Paramedics reported one fire victim with reported burn injuries from the front porch. Paramedics from Palatine, Long Grove and Lake Zurich were reportedly involved with rescue and medical treatment for the woman. Lake Zurich paramedics transported the female victim to Northwest Community Hospital by about 8:36 p.m.
Roof opening was not required, and firefighters ventilated the building with fans. Engine 2’s crew, Squad 2’s crew, and Tower 1’s crew were assigned ventilation. Firefighters then check the building’s interior air quality.
Arlington Heights police officers provided assistance to residents and neighbors, and were assigned traffic control.
Arlington Heights firefighters were assisted by firefighters, paramedics and/or command officers from Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, and Palatine at the fire scene.
A Prospect Heights tower ladder crew, a Schaumburg ladder truck crew, and a Hoffman Estates fire engine crew were assigned to stand by in an Arlington Heights fire station, and a second Lake Zurich ambulance and a Prospect Heights fire suppression crew were assigned to an unrelated medical call while Arlington Heights firefighters were busy at the townhouse fire.
NWS Chicago
Chicago Executive Airport
x.com/kpwkwxobservX
Chicago Executive Airport Weather Observations on X
Fair and 76 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are Southeast at 3.5 MPH (3 KT). The pressure is 30.10 and the humidity is 64%. The heat index is 78. Last Updated on Aug 14 2024, 7:52 pm CDT.
Fair and 75 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are Southeast at 3.5 MPH (3 KT). The pressure is 30.10 and the humidity is 69%. The heat index is 77. Last Updated on Aug 14 2024, 8:52 pm CDT.
Fair and 75 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are Southeast at 5.8 MPH (5 KT). The pressure is 30.09 and the humidity is 71%. The heat index is 77. Last Updated on Aug 14 2024, 9:52 pm CDT.
Fair and 75 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are East at 4.6 MPH (4 KT). The pressure is 30.07 and the humidity is 71%. The heat index is 77. Last Updated on Aug 14 2024, 10:52 pm CDT.
Fair and 75 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are East at 4.6 MPH (4 KT). The pressure is 30.07 and the humidity is 74%. The heat index is 76. Last Updated on Aug 14 2024, 11:52 pm CDT.
Partly Cloudy and 75 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport: Winds are Southeast at 4.6 MPH (4 KT). The pressure is 30.06 and the humidity is 76%. The heat index is 76. Last Updated on Aug 15 2024, 12:52 am CDT.
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