From what I gather from Josh Boyajian’s account, he mentioned that the Tris-State Fire Protection District was called out on March 3, 2014, to respond to a house fire at 9476 South Falling Waters Drive in Burr Ridge, Illinois. He added that he arrived roughly 20 minutes after the fire had started. Here's a bit more detail based on his description:
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The flames were already well underway when I got there. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy one to control. The initial attack teams were already on scene, trying their best to get the situation under wraps. As I moved closer, I could see firefighters working feverishly, their gear glowing faintly under the heavy smoke.
I snapped a few photos while taking it all in. One image shows the chief officer standing near the scene, looking over everything with that calm but intense focus they always seem to have. Another shot highlights the defensive strategy being implemented—firefighters manning the hose lines, pushing back against the encroaching blaze. You can really feel the tension and urgency in those moments.
There’s also a great shot of the Smeal tower ladder truck in action. The vehicle looked massive compared to the surrounding chaos, its ladder stretched high above the building as if reaching for the sky itself. It’s a reminder of how critical equipment like that is during these types of emergencies.
One of my favorite images captures the firefighters working together, their teamwork evident even through the haze. They’re holding the hose lines steady, focused and determined despite the conditions. And then there’s another powerful photo showing the elevated master stream being deployed—a massive torrent of water arcing through the air, visibly cutting through the smoke and fire.
All in all, it was a tough callout, but seeing everyone work so cohesively made it inspiring, too. If you want to check out more photos from the scene, here’s the link to the full gallery: [http://chi-townfirephotos.smugmug.com/Suburban-Fires-/TriState-FPD-Box-Alarm-9476-Fa/i-NjC4JNq](http://chi-townfirephotos.smugmug.com/Suburban-Fires-/TriState-FPD-Box-Alarm-9476-Fa/i-NjC4JNq).
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I hope this gives you a better sense of what went down that day. It’s always humbling to witness such dedication and professionalism firsthand.