Firefighters direct a hand line into the front of the carpet store after companies were pulled out of the building. Behind these firefighters, the foam transmission system can be seen as high-expansion foam is being directed into the building. Tim Olk photo A shot of sector 1 after the fire broke through the roof shows several hand lines in use as well as elevated master streams from Squad 1 and Tower Ladder 21. Tim Olk photo Firefighters work to position the baskets in order to find a spot that will allow them to direct their master streams for maximum impact. Before they can begin flowing water again, they use hand tools to gain access behind the mansard facia. Tim Olk photo Foam unit 6-3-1 is aligned with the front door of the store to provide access for applying the foam. Water is added to the foam concentrate and the fans blow the foam through a large tube, forcing it into the building to extinguish the basement fire. The foam is very light and a percentage of it blows out along the street as well. Tim Olk photo This shot beautifully illustrates the foam delivery procedure and the obvious overflow that is inherent with this application. The 4-foot diameter tubing allows the fire department to send a tremendous volume of foam into the building. Tim Olk photo Another view from sector 1 shows Squad 1 directing their master stream through the mansard facia into a hole created when the large sign fell away. The elevated position and proximity of the firefighter in the bucket provides for much greater accuracy in the placement of the stream than can be achieved by hand lines or master streams directed from street level. Tim Olk photo SICHUAN TELOS NEW MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD , https://www.kenlarcutters.com
Tim Olk arrived at the 3-11 station on Friday, before Steve Redick, and shared a series of photos capturing the early stages of the incident—some of which predate the images that were later posted online. These photos offer a rare look at the initial response and operations before the more widely circulated images were taken.
Tim has shared nearly 600 images from this incident in a detailed gallery, available for viewing here. These photos provide an in-depth visual record of the fire's progression, the strategies used by firefighters, and the challenges they faced during the operation. Each image adds context and helps tell the story of this significant event in Chicago’s firefighting history.