Posted on 12/06/2004 5:15:28 PM PST by GRRRRR
A high rise in the Chicago Loop at 135 S. LaSalle has at least one floor on fire. Live shots show a raging fire through the windows.
This is the LaSalle Bank Building. Began just after 1830h.
G
Fire on south side of the building on 29th floor. It's an old concrete, kind of art-deco building. The steel and concrete structure will keep the fire from spreading. Reports of people hanging out a window on the 24th floor might indicate that smoke has filled the staircases
ping
The EAST side of the building, according to WLS TV is showing the flames from the windows...the west and other sides just have smoke coming out the windows.
No sign of fire fighters in the floor below, the lights are still on in the windows in the floor below...nothing like smoke etc. from burning thru.
More to come...
Probably not, but what crosses my mind anyway is…somebody trying to burn evidence? Just a crazy thought.
Thanks for posting the pictures too.
From the looks of that blaze its safe to say there aren't any sprinklers or they are definitely not working.
Totally unnecessary for this to be happening in 2004.
The thought crossed my mind that that kind of nothing story was like a signal. Then I said to myself, that's silly.
Sirens and fire alarms were sounded in the building.
People exited down the stairs.
Announcements over loudspeakers told people to HOLD where they were at the time.
The lady speaking said they CHOSE to IGNORE and kept going down the stairs...they went to the Adams side of the building but the DOORS WERE LOCKED because it was after working hours...!!!
From NBC WMAQ TV 5 interview...
WBBM-FM reporting possibly 7 people trapped above the fire on upper floors
I posted my reply before I read yours. I'm glad I have company in this matter.
Thanks, I just saw it on the news too.
People still calling in to 911 from the building.
They are in need of assistance on the upper floors.
Prayers for them all.
I'm watching ABC also...looks to me as though its dying out though, reporter just stated he doesnt think anyones trapped,lets hope not!
Oh L-rd, please save these precious people. :o(
Compare this pic to the ones above, you can see the fire is DOWN very much over the prior pics...no info about sprinklers functioning OR if Firefighters are on the floor knocking the fire down from INSIDE? NO fire is seen breaking thru to the floor below and there is little smoke coming out at this time. G
Every high rise today has sprinklers..they're all been retrofitted..you couldn't get a Cof O, or insurance..or tenants today without it..
Standpipes all the way, I don't think the aerial ladder trucks are going to be of much use.
People still calling for help from floors 26,27, 29, 30 and the roof.
I work at 115 S. LaSalle (Harris Bank), Channel 7 is reporting that smoke has gotten into our building. I wonder if we will have to put our disaster recovery plan into action tomorrow.
Totally unnecessary for this to be happening in 2004.
Specially in Chicago, they just had a big fire not long ago in a state building.
Several more people being treated for smoke inhilation. One just taken away in ambulance. Still fire and lots of smoke. Trust Dept. of La Salle Bank. Fire spread very quickly. As many as 40 people in a conference room on the 35th floor evacuated the building safely. 45-story building. Fire on the 29th floor.
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