2-11 Alarm fire with a Mayday response in Chicago, 3-31-19

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Two Chicago firefighters were hospitalized after falling two stories through a hole in the third floor of an apartment building near Monroe Street and Albany Avenue. The incident occurred during a fire that broke out on Sunday evening, which quickly spread to a nearby 1Â½-story building.

A mayday call was issued around 8:45 p.m. Saturday after the two firefighters fell all the way down to the first floor. One managed to escape on his own, while the other was assisted by colleagues and taken to an ambulance. Both were in serious-to-critical condition when they arrived at the hospital but were conscious and speaking by Sunday night, though they were resting and expected to remain under observation for a while.

More than 100 firefighters and medics responded to the scene. It appears the building lacked working smoke detectors. No one was reported to be living on the second or third floors, though there were occupants on the first floor.

This from Chi-Town Fire Photos:

Sunday night, the MFAO dispatched companies to a working fire at 3104 W. Monroe Street. Upon arrival, Battalion 18 reported a three-story brick structure with heavy fire on the first, second, and third floors, along with exposure concerns. A Still and Box was requested shortly after. Companies deployed six or more hand lines, and two truck companies worked the roof.

For a short time, heavy fire was venting through the roof and top floor. While fighting the blaze, multiple firefighters fell through a hole in the floor, triggering a Mayday alert and calling for the 2-11 (RIT team). I believe the RIT team successfully rescued one of the injured firefighters from the rear of the building. It was a tough fire with a lot of work involved, but thankfully, the injuries were not life-threatening. These photos were taken about 10 minutes into the fire.

Chi-Town Fire Photos