A large sign was visible as approaching from the north on Western Avenue. Dave Weaver photo

Massive flames and smoke engulfing the building at 2444 W. 21st Street in Chicago on 12-29-12, viewed from the northwest. Dave Weaver photo

Firefighters from Engine 23 with Tower Ladder 5 (using a spare apparatus) monitoring a multi-versal at the west end of the block. Dave Weaver photo

Engine 18. Both 18 & 5 pumping to the fireground and connected to hydrants using hard suction. Dan McInerney photo

Engine 5 pumping to Tower Ladder 39. Dan McInerney photo

Air Mask Unit 6-4-4. Dan McInerney photo

E109 pumping to E23 under the viaduct. 109 was a still engine and connected two sections of 4-inch hose to the hydrant. Remaining engines arriving connected via hard suction hose per CFD procedures for large fires. Engines arriving on the 2-11 alarm and above will use 6-inch hard suction hose. Dan McInerney photo

E99 was sent to lay lines if needed to the roof to cover flying brands. Dan McInerney photo

E44 pumping to a multi-versal on the southeast corner of the building. Dan McInerney photo

E103 receiving water from E28 down the street from the east and from a hydrant. Dan McInerney photo

E65 pumping to E26. E65 is shown connected to the hydrant using lightweight suction hose. There are two types of lightweight suction hose – one for negative pressure only, and another now used by the CFD that can handle positive pressure. Dan McInerney photo

The reinforced internal structure of the lightweight suction hose is visible as a white lattice underneath the clear sections. Dan McInerney photo

T52 – rig shot while in staging. Dan McInerney photo

CTA emergency unit 202. Responded due to the fire’s proximity to the Pink Line, which was shut down early on. Dan McInerney photo

Peoples Gas shut down the gas supply to the building. They had to dig a hole in the street, visible here beneath the plywood and cones. Later, they cleared the street of bricks so TL54 could be moved west. Dan McInerney photo

E23 (still engine) positioned under the railroad viaduct directly to the west of the fire building. This spot kept 21st St. open and offered some protection from falling debris. The viaduct later flooded due to the water streams. At its peak, there were at least 11 master streams in operation. Dan McInerney photo

T7 rig shot (RIT truck at the 4-11). Dan McInerney photo

Truck 48 with the ladder to the roof of a nearby building. Dan McInerney photo

Unmanned multi-versals on the southwest corner of the fire building. Dan McInerney photo