It was a bitterly cold night when Chicago firefighters responded to a fire at Andy’s Deli, located at 5442 N. Milwaukee Avenue. The emergency call came in during the early evening hours, and within minutes, first responders arrived on the scene to find flames engulfing parts of the commercial property. Unfortunately, securing a reliable water supply proved challenging due to multiple frozen hydrants in the vicinity. This complication forced crews to adopt a more defensive strategy, partly because there were concerns about the structural integrity of the roof. As a result, a 2-11 Alarm was called in, bringing additional resources to bear on the situation.
The response included two tower ladders and Squad 2’s Snorkel, which utilized their elevated buckets to apply water directly onto the fire. Meanwhile, Truck 55 deployed its main line with a master stream positioned strategically. In an innovative move, a special request was made for the Mobile Ventilation Unit (9-2-3) stationed at Engine 106’s quarters. The MVU was promptly dispatched to Sector 1, where it played a crucial role in pushing the fire towards the rear of the building and through the roof. This maneuver allowed firefighters to gain better access to the inferno without having to enter the premises directly, as much of the roof structure remained intact.
Photographer Steve Redick captured the intense action, while Larry Shapiro also documented the event with his camera. A comprehensive gallery of Larry’s images can be viewed here. Additionally, Steve Redick’s collection of photos is available through this link. Here are a few snapshots taken from the heart of the chaos.
For those interested in further details, the Chicago Tribune published a concise article covering the incident, accessible via this link.
One particularly striking image shows Sector 1 filled with thick smoke but no visible flames yet. Given the condition of the roof, crews worked diligently to clear space in front of the building, creating room for the MVU to operate effectively. Another powerful photograph highlights how the MVU was set up in front of the deli, fanning the flames so that firefighters could tackle the blaze safely from outside the structure.
From the rear angle, another compelling shot reveals heavy smoke billowing out of the back of the building, driven by the MVU’s efforts in the front. An additional image documents Engine 119 managing a hydrant at the intersection of the alley and Menard Street. Due to blocked sewers, significant amounts of water accumulated both in the alley and down Menard, posing additional logistical challenges for the team.
Toward the conclusion of the operation, Engine 83 brought Light Wagon 9-1-3 to the site, adhering to protocol for major alarms like this one. Eventually, the wagon was moved to Sector 1, providing enhanced visibility for directing handlines into the depths of the building from the sidewalk. As teams began winding down their operations, they faced the daunting task of dealing with frozen hoses—a consequence of the extreme cold. Many had to struggle with stiffened hoses to load them back onto the engines or even onto the aerial beds of ladder trucks for transport back to the station. Once there, crews repacked their equipment and devised ways to handle the frozen sections.
Another memorable photo depicts Engine 108 with its frozen hose draped over the top of the vehicle, requiring extra care during transit. Throughout the entire ordeal, these brave men and women demonstrated remarkable resilience and teamwork under adverse conditions.
[Attached Image Caption: A view of Sector 1 shows smoke but no visible fire. Space was cleared to accommodate the MVU.]
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