March 25, 1966 – I can’t believe it’s been all these years since I stumbled upon this incredible set of photos. These images really take me back to the early morning hours when this massive fire broke out at 3951 South Canal Street in Chicago. It was classified as a 5-11 +1 special call, meaning it was serious business right from the start.
The building on fire was owned by the Siegmund Warner Company, which at the time produced sporting goods. What's fascinating is that the larger structure attached to the burning building is still standing today, though it's been vacant for quite some time now. You can see in one of the photos how the fire had already caused significant damage and parts of the building were starting to collapse.
In another shot, taken facing north toward Pershing Road, you can see both of the neighboring buildings still intact in the background. The final picture looks west toward Normal Avenue. The timestamp on all these photos reads 0451, so they must have been snapped very early in the morning during those chaotic hours.
I’m grateful to have come across this collection through Eric Haak, who generously shared them with me. Unfortunately, the photographer remains anonymous, but the quality of these shots is undeniable. They capture not just the devastation of the fire but also the heroic efforts of the firefighters who arrived on the scene. In several pictures, you can clearly see the vintage Chicago Fire Department Snorkel trucks in action, their long arms extended as they worked tirelessly to douse the flames.
It’s amazing how some things remain standing even after such destruction. The resilience of these old structures is something else. And it’s moments like these, captured in time, that remind us of the power of nature and human perseverance.
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