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House fire in Wilmette, 7-30-16
On Saturday afternoon, Wilmette firefighters were dispatched to 1826 Elmwood Avenue following reports of a house fire. According to Larry Shapiro, who provided this account, police officers were the first to arrive and noticed smoke coming from the residence. Before the fire trucks even reached the scene, the emergency response level was escalated to Code 4 due to the active fire situation.
When the fire department finally arrived, they found that the residents had already managed to evacuate safely. Firefighters quickly ascended to the second floor where they discovered curtains ablaze and a small but spreading fire inside. Although the flames were contained, the entire house was thick with smoke. In an impressive act of heroism, Winnetka firefighters managed to rescue a distressed cat, which was then administered oxygen by Wilmette police officers and taken to a nearby veterinary clinic.
Unfortunately, one of the elderly residents sustained a minor burn on their hand, and both were promptly transported to Skokie Hospital for further evaluation. Thanks to the swift actions of the firefighters, the fire was extinguished relatively quickly. Some mutual aid companies were eventually sent back as the situation stabilized.
The units involved in the operation included Wilmette's Battalion 26, Tower 26, Engine 27, and Ambulances 26 and 27. Mutual aid support came from Winnetka’s Engine 28, Glenview’s Engine 13, Skokie’s Squad 18, Northfield’s Truck 29, Evanston’s Truck 23, and Glencoe’s Ambulance 30.
Attached to this report are several photos taken by Larry Shapiro, capturing moments from the incident. These include images of smoke billowing from the house, firefighters entering the structure, a firefighter aiding an elderly victim, and efforts to save the distressed cat. There are also photos of various firefighting vehicles, such as Wilmette’s Engine 27, Winnetka’s Engine 28, and Skokie’s Squad 18, highlighting the extensive resources mobilized to manage the emergency.
This event underscores the bravery and dedication of our local firefighters, who worked tirelessly to protect lives and property. It is a poignant reminder of the importance of fire safety and preparedness in our communities.