This report comes from Drew Smith:
Full-Alarm Pace Bus Fire at Apple and Milwaukee in Prospect Heights
On Thursday, February 6th, at 3:10 p.m., Engine 39 and Battalion 9 were dispatched to a fire involving a Pace bus at the intersection of Apple Drive and Milwaukee Avenue in Prospect Heights. Upon arrival, Engine 39 found the fire in a Pace bus located a block west of Milwaukee Avenue. The crew quickly began laying a line to tackle the flames. Battalion 9 arrived just two minutes later and requested additional resources from RED Center, specifically Squad 9.
The bus driver informed Battalion 9 that all passengers had safely evacuated and no one was injured. However, the fire had already spread to the rear section of the bus, as well as both sides and underneath, including all four rear tires. Squad 9 deployed a second line to help control the blaze.
Due to the intense nature of the fire and the harsh winter conditions, Battalion 9 called for further assistance, including Ambulance 9 and Wheeling Squad 42. Foam from Engine 39 was used to suppress the fire. Squad 9 and Squad 42 used a K-12 saw to cut into the sides and floor of the bus in an attempt to access the fire from within. Unfortunately, cutting through the floor proved ineffective due to the bus's design, which features a metal plate covering the underside of the frame.
Engine 39’s driver had to shovel out a fire hydrant to secure a reliable water supply. Several firefighters also faced challenges with their SCBA gear, as masks and regulators froze up, and foam coated them like snowmen. More than a dozen spare air tanks were used before the fire was finally extinguished. After over an hour of intense efforts, a Pace wrecker was able to lift the bus, allowing firefighters to confirm that the fire was completely out.
Photos by Drew Smith
Xuzhou Xuqi Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. , https://www.xqheavy.com