CFD Still & Box Alarm on Irving Park Road 4-11-11

July 02, 2025

Chicago responded to a commercial structure fire this afternoon at 2543 W. Irving Park Road, just west of Western Avenue. The building, which was once the home of Illinois Battery Mfg., caught fire and sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, visible for miles. The first floor was vacant, but the second floor housed an apartment that was occupied. No injuries were reported, and a Level I HazMat response was initiated due to concerns about the contents inside the building. Tower Ladder 21 and Squad 2's Snorkel used elevated master streams to combat the flames, while Tower Ladder 23 was called in but never deployed. Tim Olk, Steve Redick, and Larry Shapiro were on the scene after the main fire was under control. Tim captured a series of images, which you can view here. Steve also shared his collection here, and Larry provided his own set of photos here.
Firefighters on the lower roof work to gain access to a fire above the 2nd floor apartment. Tim Olk photo

A firefighter climbs to the roof to assist the other members of his company in hitting the visible fire. Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters in Squad 2's Snorkel work to gain access and ventilate the second floor. Tim Olk photo

Tower Ladder 23 sits ready to deploy in Sector 3 but was never put to work. Larry Shapiro photo

Firefighters in the platform of Tower Ladder 21 deploy their master stream into the building. Steve Redick photo

Engine 56 was one of four engines working at the scene. Larry Shapiro photo

Tower Ladder 21 and Squad 2 both work from above to hit the fire. Steve Redick photo

A Fire fighter from Squad 2 steadies himself on a ladder while working in a second floor window with no visibility. Tim Olk photo

The firefighter from Squad 2 gets some air as water from above rains down. Larry Shapiro photo

A view from across the street shows firefighters and Squad 2 in Sector 1 as smoke pushes out of the second floor. Steve Redick photo

Squad 2, Tower 21 and Engine 112 work in Sector 1 on Irving Park Road. Larry Shapiro photo

A firefighter from Squad 2 is immersed in smoke escaping from the second floor. Steve Redick photo
Steve also shared a short video capturing the action. The incident highlighted the coordinated efforts of multiple units and the challenges faced by firefighters in a complex urban environment.
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