Photos & Story by
GORDON J. NORD, JR.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to a fire in a 175 x 75 one story brick bowstring truss auto body shop that was also used for storage, on saturday July 06, 2002 at 3347 west Montrose Avenue, on the citys near north side.

The fire was originally reported as a rubbish fire in the rear and was filled out to a full structure fire response, while the initial companies were in route to the scene.

The fire quickly excalated to a Still and Box Alarm and elevated to a 4-11 alarm fire, before being placed under control.

The original fire buidling was a total loss and a portion of the building collapsed along with the bow string truss roof.

Chicago firefighters utilized numerous elevated streams, master streams and handlines to contain the fire to the building of origin, along with point of vantage lines from the building located in sector 2 or B.

Chicago firefighters remained on the scene throughout the evening washing down the ruins and the large amount of stored material that was located in the building.