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Chicago 5-11 at 1520 S Indiana in 1974
I recently got back from visiting my dad’s place in Arkansas, and I managed to bring home quite a bit of his old collection. Among the items he had hanging on his walls were a series of 3 x 5 color prints from a memorable fire we attended together in 1974. It was at a massive cold storage warehouse, and I’ll never forget how it burned for what felt like days. At some point, the building collapsed onto an adjacent structure, which triggered an additional alarm response. By the time we arrived, the initial chaos had settled down somewhat, allowing us to tour the fireground and capture some incredible shots of classic firefighting equipment in action.
One of the photos features Big John in the background, and it’s probably one of the rare instances where you can see both hoses actively being used. Usually, the water supply wasn’t sufficient to operate both lines simultaneously. Interestingly enough, the 2000-GPM LaFrances were often seen using both ports on the hydrant. There was even a specific order stating that no other pumper should share a hydrant with a rig this size, ensuring they could fully utilize their capacity.
When I first retrieved these photos, they were in pretty rough shape—colors were completely off, and they had faded significantly over time. Despite their poor condition, I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the images I could restore. While they’re still not perfect, they’re now at least usable. I think if I converted them to black and white, they’d look nearly flawless. Anyway, enjoy this glimpse into our firefighting past.
—Steve
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Below are some of the restored photos from that day. Each one captures different aspects of the firefighting effort, showcasing the classic rigs and the dedication of those involved.
Each photograph tells its own story, reminding me of the challenges faced and the resilience shown by everyone involved. These aren’t just images; they’re pieces of history that connect us to a time when firefighting required skill, teamwork, and adaptability.