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It was early Saturday afternoon when the first alarm sounded at 24 Rolling Hills Drive in Barrington Hills, setting off a chain reaction that would eventually escalate into a massive fire involving multiple alarms and departments. This is the first of several posts covering the extensive response to this incident on April 18, 2015.
According to a listener from radioman911.com, the fire began when occupants of the house accidentally started burning leaves. Sparks from the fire spread to a nearby tree, causing embers to land on the house. Strong winds exacerbated the situation, allowing the flames to spread rapidly. Upon arrival, Barrington and Countryside firefighters initially called for a second alarm, quickly upgrading it to a fourth alarm for tender support. Later, a fifth alarm was requested, followed by interdivisional alarms for additional tender task forces from Divisions 2 and 5. These reinforcements were eventually joined by suppression companies, bringing in even more personnel.
The fire wasn't confined to the structure. Embers were carried by the wind into the surrounding grasslands, igniting a prairie fire that spread dangerously close to nearby electric transmission lines. This prompted a special alarm for brush fire resources. The situation escalated further, requiring mutual aid from multiple counties and six different MABAS divisions. Engines from Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Rolling Meadows, and Elgin also responded to assist.
The scale of the operation was immense, with a full list of responding units including Battalion 38, Engine 381, Engine 382, Tanker 381, and many others. Units like Palatine Rural Engine 36, Barrington Engine 361, and Long Grove Tanker 55 were among those dispatched. Special requests were made for brush trucks from Lake Villa, and UCP 13 was also present at the scene.
Larry Shapiro provided further details about the unfolding events. He noted that the fire spread quickly due to the strong winds, and the initial response was overwhelmed by the intensity of the blaze. The involvement of multiple counties and fire districts was crucial in containing the fire before it caused more damage. The photographs I've seen show the extent of the devastation—a once-impressive mansion now engulfed in flames.
The photos accompanying this post, taken by Larry Shapiro, capture the intense firefighting efforts. You can see E-One fire engines working tirelessly, drafting water from portable tanks, and deploying multiple hose lines to combat the inferno. The sheer number of emergency vehicles on-site underscores the seriousness of the situation.
For more photos and updates, check out shapirophotography.net. It's a stark reminder of how quickly fires can spread, especially under adverse conditions, and the critical role of coordinated emergency responses.