Early Saturday morning, before 6 AM, the Schaumburg Fire Department received an automated alarm signal indicating potential trouble at a building located at 1234 Valley Lake Drive. Shortly after, multiple 9-1-1 calls poured in, describing visible smoke inside the structure. Engine 54 was the first to arrive on the scene, quickly connecting to the building's standpipe system. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered residents gathered in the lobby and on the upper floor balconies of this seven-story building. As they reached the fire floor, they encountered thick smoke and had to carefully identify the exact unit responsible for the blaze.
The elderly occupant of the apartment where the fire originated, an 85-year-old woman, sustained burns to her chest and was immediately transported to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to the specialized burn center at Loyola University Hospital.
Firefighters managed to deploy two lines and successfully confined the flames to the unit where the fire began. An additional precautionary measure included activating a 2-11 alarm, which called for four extra ambulances to be on standby. Schaumburg firefighters conducted a thorough search and rescued several residents who had sought refuge on their balconies to escape the smoke.
Larry Shapiro was present at the scene and captured several images documenting the intense firefighting efforts. Among these images, one shows Schaumburg Engine 52 positioned at the front driveway alongside Ambulance 52, Battalion 5, and Truck 52. Another captures firefighters bringing additional equipment into the building. Other photos highlight the extent of the damage, particularly on the fourth floor where the fire unit was located, and showcase the collaborative efforts of various mutual aid companies that arrived to support the operation.
Mutual aid resources included trucks from Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, and Mount Prospect. Engines were provided by Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Palatine Rural, Buffalo Grove, Barrington, and Bloomingdale. Carol Stream sent their two-piece squad company, while ambulances arrived from Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights, Roselle, Bensenville, Wheeling, and Glenside. Chief officers also responded from Arlington Heights, Palatine Rural, and Itasca.
The Chicago Tribune covered the event extensively, providing detailed updates on the situation. According to Battalion Chief John Steele, the injured woman was in critical condition and required specialized care at Loyola University Medical Center. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the fourth floor but managed to prevent it from spreading to the fifth floor. The fire originated in the bedroom of the affected apartment and was largely contained within that unit. However, significant damage to the fourth floor meant that 15 apartments would remain uninhabitable for the time being, with the Red Cross assisting displaced residents.
Larry Shapiro documented many more scenes from the aftermath, available in a comprehensive image gallery. For those interested in hearing the radio traffic during the incident, Radioman911.com offers recordings of the dispatch and fireground communications in multiple parts. These recordings provide a detailed audio account of the events unfolding throughout the night, capturing the coordination and response efforts of Schaumburg firefighters and their mutual aid partners.
As the situation unfolded, Schaumburg and mutual aid ambulances were stationed in a nearby lot, ready to assist if needed. Box alarms and second-alarm companies were strategically staged along Valley Lake Drive, showcasing the scale of the emergency response. Firefighters from Schaumburg Truck 52 could be seen checking their gear after exiting the building, while others rested briefly on a seventh-floor balcony following a secondary search of the units.
The Chicago Tribune's article provides further insights into the incident, emphasizing the dedication and professionalism of Schaumburg's firefighting team. Radioman911.com continues to offer valuable resources for those looking to understand the full scope of this challenging situation.
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