**From Eric Haak:**
Saturday afternoon around 2:50 PM, the Dolton Fire Department was dispatched to a massive fire at a large storage shed located on an empty industrial lot at the intersection of 142nd and Cottage Grove. The photos below were taken roughly an hour into the emergency response. Firefighters had to stretch their hoses over long distances since there were very few working hydrants along that stretch of road. Calumet City Tower 309 and Lansing Tower 107 were both operational at the scene. Riverdale Engine 836 managed to secure a hydrant near the corner of 142nd and Cottage Grove, supplying water to Burnham Engine 2016. South Holland Engine 669 also set up a hydrant on Cottage Grove near the entrance to the industrial complex. Pictured nearby is Phoenix Engine 1708, which is actually the old Chicago Engine 72—its number is still clearly visible on the vehicle's door. There was even a request for HAZMAT experts to be called in due to concerns about potential hazardous materials involved. The incident eventually escalated to a third alarm, though it happened after I had already left the scene.
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*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
*Photo Credit: Eric Haak*
This event was certainly one for the books, and I'm glad I could capture these moments while they unfolded. It’s always humbling to see how quickly things can escalate, especially when resources like hydrants are limited. Let’s hope everyone involved remained safe throughout the ordeal.