Saturday afternoon around 2:50 PM, I was on the scene of a major fire that broke out in a large storage shed located on an empty industrial lot at the intersection of 142nd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Dolton, Illinois. As someone who has been following local emergencies closely, I felt compelled to document what I saw. The images you'll find below were captured roughly an hour after the first responders arrived.
The firefighting effort was nothing short of intense. Due to the scarcity of working hydrants along this stretch of road, crews had to rely on extended hoses. Calumet City’s Tower 309 and Lansing's Tower 107 were both actively involved. Riverdale Engine 836 secured a hydrant at the corner of 142nd and Cottage Grove, providing water to Burnham Engine 2016. South Holland Engine 669 was stationed further down Cottage Grove near the entrance to the complex, also connected to a hydrant. Interestingly, there was a Phoenix Engine 1708 in staging—this particular vehicle used to be Chicago Engine 72, and the number "72" is still clearly visible on its door.
Additionally, there was a request for HAZMAT specialists to assist at the scene. The fire escalated to a third-alarm status, though this happened shortly after I left due to other commitments.
Below are some of the photos I took during my time there. These pictures offer just a glimpse into the scale and complexity of the situation. Please note that all images are credited to me, Eric Haak.
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*Eric Haak photo*
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*Eric Haak photo*
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*Eric Haak photo*
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*Eric Haak photo*
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*Eric Haak photo*
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*Eric Haak photo*
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This event truly highlighted the challenges firefighters face when dealing with limited resources in certain areas. It’s always humbling to witness their dedication firsthand.