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View Full Version : Historic Chicago Church Fire (Caution 9 Images!)

Mills
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 22:30
Today, the Chicago Fire Department fought a huge, 5-11 Alarm Fire that destroyed one of the oldest houses of worship in the city. It has been said today that this church was the birthplace of Gospel Music by various media outlets. I got to the fire late and thus did not get many good pictures, but this should give you all a sense of this tragedy.

1. This is the first shot that I took. At this point, the roof has collapsed.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495622/large.jpg

2. I moved to a different vantage point and got this from a distance. Notice at least 6 master streams on this side of the building.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495654/large.jpg

3. CFD E45 working, pumping water to one of the master streams.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495665.jpg

4. Here you can see an example of in-line pumping. Because such a huge volume of water is needed to put out a fire of this size, fire hydrants on different water mains are needed. This fire was on 33rd street and Engine Companies were pumping from as far away as 39th street to supply in excess of 15,000 thousand gallons of water PER Minute.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495690/large.jpg

5. Here is a Tower Ladder at work. One of the master streams.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495704.jpg

6. Firefighters monitoring multiple master streams. It is turning into a long night.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495717/large.jpg

7. Chinatown's Engine 8 working.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495722/large.jpg

8. Here you can get a sense of the volume of water being used. City streets become flooded around the fire building because the sewer system can not handle all of the water.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495809/large.jpg

9. Here you can get a sense of the destruction. Only a shell remains where once stood one of the most beautiful buildings in Chicago.
http://www.pbase.com/millz11/image/54495813/large.jpg
altered_pixel
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 22:33
Wow! Awesome photography! I hope you sold those to the papers...
DwightMcCann
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 22:41
Stunning!
shakin360
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 22:44
Nice shots. I saw this on the news. Where was the church located?
cjsa
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 23:13
Wow, you show this much better than the TV did.
BottomBracket
6th of January 2006 (Fri), 23:28
Great shots! Pity about the church though. I hope no one was hurt.
Mills
7th of January 2006 (Sat), 01:13
Wow! Awesome photography! I hope you sold those to the papers...


None to the papers, but my images will be on several web sites. This was a big story and I got their late. The images that will be in the paper tomorrow will most likely have been shot from helicopters.
Mills
7th of January 2006 (Sat), 01:14
Nice shots. I saw this on the news. Where was the church located?


33rd and Indiana on the South Side. Thanks.
Mills
7th of January 2006 (Sat), 01:18
Great shots! Pity about the church though. I hope no one was hurt.

There were no major injuries, although 4 Firefighters were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Thanks!

Dwight & Carol, Thanks very much.
The22oz
7th of January 2006 (Sat), 02:00
Sorry about IL's lost but nice shots. I can't wait till I get my first emergency scene pictures wether it by a fire or some important event. Not that I want to see peoples lives in danger, or personal belongings lost its just I want to be apart of that. If I was there and knew I could help I would in an instant, but until that moment comes I'll shoot what ever I can. Hopefully my images will help show the danger in things and sooner or later may help some one's life. I hope any way ... Great shots my friend.

Could you feel any heat from where you were? A little mist of water?
Mills
7th of January 2006 (Sat), 16:43
Sorry about IL's lost but nice shots. I can't wait till I get my first emergency scene pictures wether it by a fire or some important event. Not that I want to see peoples lives in danger, or personal belongings lost its just I want to be apart of that. If I was there and knew I could help I would in an instant, but until that moment comes I'll shoot what ever I can. Hopefully my images will help show the danger in things and sooner or later may help some one's life. I hope any way ... Great shots my friend.

Could you feel any heat from where you were? A little mist of water?


The heat can be incredible and you almost always manage to get wet. Yesterday, it was my feet. It is a good thing that it was not a typical Chicago January evening.
mdmedicgod
8th of January 2006 (Sun), 19:17
It still amazes me that with NFPA 1500 and NFPA standards on FireFighter safety. That a few "major" departments are still using 3/4 boots and long coats.......

As usually great fireground photos..........
Mills
9th of January 2006 (Mon), 00:06
It still amazes me that with NFPA 1500 and NFPA standards on FireFighter safety. That a few "major" departments are still using 3/4 boots and long coats.......

As usually great fireground photos..........


Thanks!

I hear you. Bunker Gear from several manufacturers is being tested right now and is to be purchased soon.
rickydiver
9th of January 2006 (Mon), 05:27
Great captures Mills, I really like the ones taken of the guys on the HP or Ladder if your from the US. Yeah I agree the fireys bunker coats look a little "dated" :( Its also about time you guys got decent helmets we use crash helmet style Gallet F1's far better protection than the ones in the photos;)
Cheers Ricky
Mills
10th of January 2006 (Tue), 02:25
Great captures Mills, I really like the ones taken of the guys on the HP or Ladder if your from the US. Yeah I agree the fireys bunker coats look a little "dated" :( Its also about time you guys got decent helmets we use crash helmet style Gallet F1's far better protection than the ones in the photos;)
Cheers Ricky

Thanks Ricky. Are you in OZ?
rickydiver
10th of January 2006 (Tue), 05:58
No I am stationed in Scotland UK mate
Ricky
marie
26th of February 2006 (Sun), 19:09
you got great shots and story with them Mills


never saw them until now
(thanks to ref.on your latest post)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141821
Mills
27th of February 2006 (Mon), 01:11
you got great shots and story with them Mills


never saw them until now
(thanks to ref.on your latest post)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141821


Thanks Marie.
skrezyna
17th of March 2006 (Fri), 16:15
Great shots! I went to high school at De La Salle on 35th and Wabash!
Livinthalife
17th of March 2006 (Fri), 16:28
great shots! shame this happened, but you told this story well with a great images.
Mills
17th of March 2006 (Fri), 20:26
Great shots! I went to high school at De La Salle on 35th and Wabash!

Thanks. You must remember it then. It was a cool building. You're a long way from home. Here is a link for the aftermath.


http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=141821