January 23, 2013
835 North Lombard in Oak Park is a loss...
© Suburban Journals
of Chicago Inc. photo
Fire
Trucks and Firefighters Battle for Hours at
835 North Lombard, with no injuries.
835 North Lombard, with no injuries.
The fire started
in the afternoon around 4:00 pm. The owner of the home was at
work at the time and no one else was in the house. The owner had
lost her husband to a heart attack last November and is widowed and now
homeless. The homes to the north and south of hers have been
saved by the diligent work of the firefighters. It is unfortunate
for the firefighters that it is below freezing, but they were lucky
with less wind than the days before.
The intensity of the fires from the home did damage the roof of the house to the south, at 831 North Lombard. The woman in that house had to leave her home and move to her son-in-laws home across the street.
After Several Hours in below freezing temperatures the toll begins to add up.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo
It is a miracle that no one lost their life, and that something everyone is thankful for. There were only a few place where those fighting the temperatures and the fire could warm up for a few minutes, and that was in one of the fire trucks running or another vehicle.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. video
To some residents it looked like twenty years ago when another building on this block caught fire, to others it looked worse. One person thought that with the helicopters overhead and fire trucks on many of the blocks around them, an airplane might have crashed. When we spoke to some of the firefighters about what looked like a large contingent of help, we were reminded that most of the large fire trucks only meant three firefighters at the scene-due to cut backs based on austerity budgets.
Even after several hours of fighting the blaze flare ups came and went.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos
The fire will be investigated after it is terminated, but for now we know that there were no explosions like those from a gas leak. The cold weather also played havoc on getting water to fight. We have been to many fires, at all times of the year. In the summer often residents will bring drinks of water or pop to the firefighters to help them rehydrate. In this weather a little hot coco might have helped. Some of those neighbors in homes nearby did find help from their friends on the block.
Bright lights and hard work will get the job done...
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo
Even after several hours of working on this blaze, protecting the surrounding homes, and giving hope to the residents the fire was not to be struck until a little before eight at night.
A place for warmth at the end of the block and a momentary respite for the weary.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos
The intensity of the fires from the home did damage the roof of the house to the south, at 831 North Lombard. The woman in that house had to leave her home and move to her son-in-laws home across the street.
After Several Hours in below freezing temperatures the toll begins to add up.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo
It is a miracle that no one lost their life, and that something everyone is thankful for. There were only a few place where those fighting the temperatures and the fire could warm up for a few minutes, and that was in one of the fire trucks running or another vehicle.
Short
Video Showing the Extent of Help
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. video
To some residents it looked like twenty years ago when another building on this block caught fire, to others it looked worse. One person thought that with the helicopters overhead and fire trucks on many of the blocks around them, an airplane might have crashed. When we spoke to some of the firefighters about what looked like a large contingent of help, we were reminded that most of the large fire trucks only meant three firefighters at the scene-due to cut backs based on austerity budgets.
Even after several hours of fighting the blaze flare ups came and went.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos
The fire will be investigated after it is terminated, but for now we know that there were no explosions like those from a gas leak. The cold weather also played havoc on getting water to fight. We have been to many fires, at all times of the year. In the summer often residents will bring drinks of water or pop to the firefighters to help them rehydrate. In this weather a little hot coco might have helped. Some of those neighbors in homes nearby did find help from their friends on the block.
Bright lights and hard work will get the job done...
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photo
Even after several hours of working on this blaze, protecting the surrounding homes, and giving hope to the residents the fire was not to be struck until a little before eight at night.
A place for warmth at the end of the block and a momentary respite for the weary.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc. photos
Youtube Video
from the Earlier Part of the Day.