Posted on 12/06/2004 5:15:28 PM PST by GRRRRR
A high rise in the Chicago Loop at 135 S. LaSalle has at least one floor on fire. Live shots show a raging fire through the windows.
This is the LaSalle Bank Building. Began just after 1830h.
G
Yes, it apparently was first called in just about 1830 hrs, 630PM Central time...
G
Are there not water sprinklers in this building? I can't imagine a fire that isn't being fueled by gas or other accelerants continuing to burn as the video shows if the sprinklers are operating. Those things put out A LOT of water.
No, none.
There are NO sprinklers in the building. Built in 1930 to 1934. There is NO ordinance in Chicago mandating retrofitting older buildings with sprinklers, but there is ANOTHER meeting on Friday to review...how timely of them...
Looks to be intensifying in the windows on the right side of screen.
The building was completed in 1934. City ordinance exempts office buildings erected prior to 1975.
That is standard emergency operating procedure. Media is generally cordoned while an emergency situation is ongoing. Besides, the Chicago network affiliates all have helicopters and that's how they're getting the majority of their video.
There is no water on this fire yet...they are still prepping/staging to fight it...and rescuing people in the building...and there are no sprinklers- it's an older building.
That means they are searching for people that may be trapped.
Fire has burned through another partition...smoke/fire coming from at least 10 windows on the 29th floor. 5-11 Alarm with 2 special alarms...that means that 1/3rd of the entire Chicago Fire Dept. has been summoned to the fire. At least 25 trucks on the scene 18 treated for injuries/transported to hospitals. 16 are "yellow" injuries. Two firefighters have "red" injuries (serious).EMS level 3 means at least 25 ambulances have been summoned.
Still haven't heard what offices are on the 29th floor
Thanks for the link.....watching now.
"Anyone know what a "Special Alarm" means?"
It means that times are tough all over....
They never had any fire calls over 5 alarms, so instead of adding numbers, they just say "We need a lot of help, and fast" !
First water spray I've seen on video coverage being put on now
Yes, indeed.
You can see the firefighters on the floor below the fire.
Finally putting water on the fire from the outside
The farmost right window is "#10" window. The fire skipped the ninth window and burned into 10 and has now back fed in to the #9 window area...traveling through the ceiling???
OK, there is NOW a hose coming out of a window three floors down below and is shooting directly into windows 9 and 10.
Durn, wish I had photo space still..they have the hose on some sort of extension and are hanging it out the window or something...
Now shooting water into the windows from another building.
Firefighters are on the roof of an adjacent building and using the water spray.
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