Incredible video! More great coverage of this terrible fire. Thanks for keeping the community up to date.

Wow! This was a horrific event, but this video is amazing! Great job, Lorraine for such great coverage of this terrible fire. And thank God that no one was hurt.

It took them long enough to put a hose to the fire. If they would have started to hose down the place and not stand and look at the fire maybe there might not been so much damage the Eva's or Radio Shack. They vent and watch, how about some water as long as your there. Anyone can stand and watch it burn.

I have a brand new size 24 white halter top dress, it has the 4 inches of extra length, top is beaded, rouched bottom, train, etc. Will fit size 22-26. It just arrived on Tuesday (11/16/10) at the bridal store where I purchased it. My wedding is far enough away that I can re-order. If interested, you may purchase for the same cost I was charged. Please email me at angelshaw9@hotmail.com and we can arrange for pickup and payment at the bridal store. My prayers are with you.

I have to agree Firemen there but no hoses, and then only 2 what took so long to get the water to the fire? Then so many fireman but nothing to do..... still only 2 hoses.

Everyone should not rush to conclusions about how long it took firemen to get water on this fire. This video only shows the front and not the rear of the fire building. There were at least three to four initial hoses in the rear before this video was taken of the front of the building. This was a great job by the oak lawn and surrounding fire departments.

Well said Steve these people were not there and shouldn't Monday morning quarterback fires if they have no idea what the fire service is about. That was picture perfect line placement by the first in engines in the rear.

http://fireman5650.smugmug.com/Fires-Suburban-Chicago/OakLawn-Il-2nd-Alarm-4811-W/14716148_GTWDh#1096342441_VcWuK

ROFL...........seroiusly............ROFL

Epic fail by oak lawn fire department. I could have taken the pace bus to Eva's with a cup of water, and got water on the fire faster than OLFD.

And LOL at people saying "don't rush to conclusions about OLFD not getting water on the fire fast enough...........people aren't rushing to conclusions.........they are looking at the filmed evidence of the conclusion.............and epic fail by OLFD.

This video should be posted on "fail" blogs all over the internet.

.

Rolf? Lol? Epic fail? What are you 15 years old. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about and again were not there. I was there. Steve was there. We were both on the initial companies that responded to the rear of the building where the fire attack originated. Keep your immature comments to yourself if you have no idea what you are talking about

Steve, No one has called anyone names, except You. As a Public Srevent you have a lot to learn. You might consider another line of work. You really need to grow up. Also, if you feel the need to call me names, don't hide behind a pen, do it to my face. Don't let your mouth write checks your "back side" can't cash. You may want to keep in mind that Urlacker and Briggs are smaller then me.
I understand why the front windows needed to be broken. Fires can be struck by fighting them on two fronts. Firefighter standing and watching the fire grow is not putting out the fire. Fires are not struck by stand and watching. It takes water, lots of water, or remove the O2.
I know, "When seconds count your there in minutes"

James, 'Steve' does not reflect the views of the majority of us on the Fire Department of Oak Lawn and surrounding cities.
There are times that we could have done more or done better. There are times that the whole story is not presented. In both cases it appears 'one-sided' in coverage and there is probably a little of both truths mixed in.
What makes ANYONE look bad, is when a MORON like 'Steve' shoots off his big fat mouth with insults in trying to make a point. Anyone reading the exchange will now see Firefighters and First Responders as a group of "Full of themselves, ' know-it-alls' who think they are tough and cool and more important to the earth than God and that their job is harder than anyone elses on earth!!! It really irks myself and fellow employees.
So, on behalf of the probably 90% of us, I apologize for 'Steve's' comments. They were rude and 8th grade-ish and a black mark against an honorable group of men and women.
Thomas

15 year veteran volunteer FO/PM (Ret) here, adding my two-cents:
Based on the scene photos (H/T to all contributors BTW), the IC made the right call to put "Big Water" on the fire from the downwind side (rule of thumb: Big Fire=Big Water), however, even a rookie knows water won't flow through a kink, no matter who's pumpin...jus sayin.
Look's to me like a defensive "attack" from the first in engine...and T.Tipton, true words bro. Keep your head down bud, I got your back (even though I was a volunteer).
10-8

This is from the owners of Eva's Bridals. They are now working out of the old Men's Warehouse building at 6101 West 95th Street Oak Lawn. Customers can now stop there during normal business hours to have their questions/concerns answered by staff.

Anyone who lives and/or works in Oak Lawn knows the Oak Lawn Fire Department are constantly running on calls. I live and work here and I can tell you first hand, that the fire and police department are at the scene of the emergency in a matter of minutes (usually 2-3). Clearing all traffic from 95th and Cicero around 3pm on any day is a huge task and they did this quickly. They also were vigorously working from the South side of the building where many onlookers videotaping/photographing could not see. Fire fighters need to remain calm and follow procedure which they did. I was there. I saw everything on the North side happen and I can say I am proud of our firefighters. They did a good job under the complex circumstances and most importantly no one got hurt.

anyone find out how the fire started? My guess was that some groom got cold feet and got a hot idea...LOL

To john, Mr. Tipton, Mr. Laban and Mrs. Geertsema
Interesting comments you have made.
I am a member of the Oak Lawn Fire Dept and was at the fire. Have either of you contacted the fire chief for his side of the story?
In a matter of moments from our arrival, we had 3 hose lines flowing nearly 1000 gallons of water per minute on the fire. Extra alarm companies were responding but not yet on the scene when the fire displayed itself at the front of the store. Both Steves company and mine were forced to withdraw from the building due to the roof collapsing. We did not let the fire get past the Radio Shack. Had you been in the rear of the building as we were, you would have witnessed this. The building had a large fire load with over 1000 dresses reported to be in the store. (Sorry ladies but wedding gowns are flammable).
Fortunately nobody was injured. The business owner is doing her best to assist the customers
Both Steve and I are on duty tommorrow (Tuseday). Please feel free to stop by the firehouse so we may answer any of your concerns in regards to the fire.

To James and the OLFD: I read James' last comment about my reporting of the Eva's fire, particularly the statement from the initial field report, "Mannequins wearing wedding gowns could be seen going up in flames in the display windows at Eva's before firefighters started pouring water onto the building ..." First, I in no way was criticizing the OLFD or their response to the fire. I think people are taking this sentence out of context. The OLFD performed with professionalism and valor. It was extremely windy last Wednesday afternoon, and you can hear it on the video. As one commenter, a retired volunteer firefighter, said, wind velocity was obviously taken into account when strategizing how to fight the fire. I rolled up literally with the OLFD around 3:54 p.m. last Wednesday on my way to an appointment at 95th and Cicero, which I did not make, btw. OLFD equipment was still arriving when I happened upon the fire. I briefly witnessed the activity in the parking lot behind Eva's and Radio Shack before I moved my car, parked a few doors down from Palermo's. I am also aware that there is video out there and have been contacted by a customer of Eva's who has video of the back end. I hope to post that soon. If anyone has video of the fire, send it to me and I will post it immediately. As far as I'm concerned, I thought the OLFD rocked and I apologize to the OLFD that my field report has been misconstrued as criticism.

A complete photo file of the Eva's fire, from the arrival of the first firefighters can be found at

http://fireman5650.smugmug.com/Fires-Suburban-Chicago/OakLawn-Il-2nd-Alarm-4811-W/14716148_GTWDh#1096342441_VcWuK

Steve,
Yes, someone disagrees with you and immediately they are an alias of a politician and must be trying to stir up "hate". Ever wonder why you have the nickname you do at the Firehouse?? Think about it for a second and it will come to you.

There is a reason more people like Jim, than you. He can articulate a more logical arguement and make the department look better overall, than you calling someone a 'jerkwagon' or telling them to get back to solving puzzles on Wheel of Fortune.

I noticed that you didnt respond to James. Is it because when he told you he would kick your a** you shut up? Or did you just want to stay on the people who you think you can intimidate?

Finally, ever womder why 70+ of the members of the department didnt jump on this article and/or take a stand bedind you? Its because you cause more problems for us than help.

Do everyone a favor in the future and keep your mouth shut. Your skills as a career fireman are second to none, however, your skills as a public speaker and/or spokesman for the department are pathetic.

I thought you didn't know Steve? However, you know his nickname and cause more problems for "us"? That sounds a little odd from person who doesn't work for the OLFD or knows him.

How do you know "more people like Jim, than you"?

You outrightly admitted his firefighting skills are "second to none", so perhaps we should just listen to him.

I think the reporter Lorraine must be on Eva's payroll. Don't forget, these are the same owners who had another store downtown and closed their doors in the middle of the night...also the same owners who used to run Macy's bridal department until they got caught making fake Vera Wang dresses in their backroom. Save your sympathy for the brides, the owners are finally getting what they deserve.

Rebecca,
A well-documented smear campaign has been levied against Eva's Bridals of Oak Lawn as well as other prominent bridal salons in the Chicago area. Some of the points you bring up are from this anonymous letter that continues to be sent to customers of these salons like clockwork every two months. Eva's has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in court defending itself from these accusations. From this campaign, other rumors have evolved. A complaint has also been filed with U.S. Postal Inspector. I suggest that you read some of the other articles on this site regarding the fire. BTW, I am on no one's payroll except that of the news organization of which I am employed.

They're breaking windows all over the place, allowing air in and causing the fire to spread even faster. The worse decuision made was to call the fire department