An interesting historical note about the 3-11 Alarm fire in Chicago on June 1, 2017, reveals that the same building was involved in a 2-11 Alarm fire on April 24, 1983. While we have searched through our contributor archives, we haven’t found any photos from that earlier incident. It's fascinating to see how the same location has been part of multiple significant fire events over the decades.
Here’s an account from Steve Redick, who witnessed the 1983 fire:
> "Thursday morning, during the height of rush hour, a fire broke out at 2945 Milwaukee Ave. The blaze started in a two-story furniture store, with the top floor completely enclosed by brick veneer. The fire was intense and spread quickly, eventually collapsing what I believe was a bowstring truss roof. The lighting conditions were challenging, with areas of bright sunlight and deep shadows, making it difficult to capture clear images. I had the chance to witness Squad 2’s new 'snorkel' fully extended and operating, along with some tower ladder operations and the use of a spare snorkel. It was also interesting to see Engine 69 connected to a hydrant in front of Engine 91’s former station at 3000 N Elbridge, just behind the fire building. Below is a sample of the hundreds of photos taken—many more are available, along with video footage."
[Image: Chicago FD extra alarm listing for April of 1983]
Steve shared several images from the event, offering a rare glimpse into one of the city’s historic fires. Although no photos of the 1983 fire are currently available in our collection, this account provides valuable insight into the challenges firefighters faced and the equipment they used at the time.
Below are some of the images Steve captured during the 1983 fire. While the full gallery is not yet available, these snapshots offer a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Chicago’s fire history.
[Gallery of Steve Redick's photos from the 1983 fire]
If you have any photos or memories of this fire, we would love to hear from you. Every contribution helps build a richer understanding of our firefighting heritage.
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