This just in from Oak Lawn: A two-alarm fire broke out late this afternoon at a busy strip mall located on 95th Street. Local photographer Hank Sajovic arrived on the scene shortly after the first calls came in and managed to capture some incredible shots showing the initial response and the rapid spread of flames.
The fire started at Eva’s Bridal Shop, which is nestled between several other businesses in the small shopping center. As firefighters arrived, they quickly found themselves dealing with a challenging situation as thick smoke billowed out from the rear of the building. Hank’s early images clearly show firefighters working in the back of the bridal shop, assessing the situation before the blaze had fully taken hold.
By the time the first water streams were applied, the fire had already advanced significantly, spreading to the adjacent Radio Shack. This is where things really escalated. Flames soon engulfed both stores, creating an intense scene that required multiple fire companies to step in. The images captured by Hank beautifully document the coordinated efforts of firefighters as they worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control.
One particularly striking photograph shows a massive plume of smoke rising above the rooftops, obscuring much of 95th Street from view. In another, you can see firefighters preparing to deploy an elevated master stream from a Chicago Ridge tower ladder, highlighting the significant resources needed to tackle such a blaze. There’s also a shot of the Roberts Park FD deploying one of their aerials, showcasing the teamwork among different departments.
As the evening progressed, the fire intensified further, prompting chiefs to shift tactics toward a more defensive strategy. Multiple streams were brought to bear on the flames, including two elevated master streams and several handlines. These efforts eventually paid off, halting the fire’s progress and preventing it from spreading to any additional units within the strip mall.
Hank’s coverage doesn’t stop there. He also snapped photos of the aftermath, capturing haunting images of the damaged facade of the bridal shop and the eerie emptiness of the surrounding area. One particularly poignant image shows firefighters sweeping a powerful stream of water into the smoldering remains of the building from just above street level.
For those interested in more details about the incident or additional photographs, there are more updates available HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. And if you want to learn more about the Oak Lawn Fire Department’s stations and apparatus, check out this link HERE.
This fire serves as a reminder of the dedication and skill of our local firefighters who often face dangerous situations head-on. Let’s hope everyone involved remains safe as investigations continue into what caused this devastating fire.
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