Battalion 2 Factory Fire-Signal 98

Saturday January 17th began relatively uneventful, with the usual number of incident calls within all three battalion response areas.

The afternoon started off with Battalion 2 Box 2215 dispatched at 12:46 hours reporting a structure fire in a large commercial occupancy at 4471 Steelway Blvd., South, Packaging Corporation of America. Initial dispatch reports indicated significant flames and smoke coming from the corrugated cardboard paper production area of the facility.  Battalion 2 and Car 1 arrived on side 4 of the 75,000 SF building and were directed to the corrugated cardboard production and finishing area by evacuated plant employees. Car 1 assumed incident command, while Battalion 2 established operations. Arriving companies consisting of Engine Companies 22, 31, 41, Truck Co.2, Ladder Co. 1 and Rescue Companies 3 and 4 were immediately assigned, anticipating a challenging assignment. Engine Company 22 and Truck Co. 2 were first due and promptly entered side 4 in the vicinity of the reported fire, while the balance of the alarm response established water supplies or assumed staging. Confronted with a moderate and elevated smoke condition upon initial entry, it was discovered the fire was controlled and extinguished by plant employees in the incipient stages at the fabrication machine. Standpipe hose packs were initially deployed into the structure, however following a rapid assessment by interior companies and verification that the fire did not extend into the building's accumulator system, Battalion 2 transmitted a Signal 98 minor fire, out on arrival. All companies were picked up and returned to service by 13:18 hours.

A mere hour later companies would be dispatched to the 3rd Battalion,  Box 3206 for an all hands residential structure fire at 4822 Glencrest Avenue.