This is from Larry Shapiro:
The Lake Zurich Fire Department was called just after 5 p.m. on Monday to a fire at Midwest Motors, located at 540 Cortland Drive. Upon arrival, the first engine crew noticed light smoke coming from the eaves of the building. As the smoke became more intense, the incident was quickly escalated to a Box Alarm. The building, which houses a large indoor showroom featuring high-end and exotic used cars, was under threat.
The fire was initially reported on the second floor and in the attic on the southern end of the sprinklered structure. Firefighters managed to contain the blaze to that section, but water damage spread throughout the building. While some vehicles were damaged, most were successfully removed before the fire could cause more destruction.
Multiple fire departments responded to the scene, including Lake Zurich (4 units), Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Fox River Grove, and Barrington Countryside. Truck companies came from Wauconda and Arlington Heights, while squads from Long Grove and Deerfield assisted. Ambulances were dispatched from Barrington, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, and Libertyville. Chief officers from several areas, including Lake Zurich, Wauconda, Fox River Grove, Long Grove, and Buffalo Grove, were also on site.
Several images captured the intensity of the response. One photo shows the D side of the building, with firefighters working closely to bring the fire under control. Another image features the Arlington Heights Tower 1 setting up for operations. A Wauconda firefighter is seen using a master stream from the tower ladder, while another shot highlights the same unit positioned in front of the structure.
Overhaul efforts were underway on the D side, with crews carefully inspecting the area for any remaining embers. The A-D corner was the primary location of the fire, as shown in one of the photos. In another image, Deerfield firefighters helped push a Viper out of the showroom, highlighting the effort to save valuable vehicles. Working from the Arlington Heights tower ladder, crews continued their overhaul work.
Three of Lake Zurich’s four Pierce engines were visible on the scene, showcasing the department’s strong presence. Both tower ladders were used during the overhaul process, emphasizing the coordinated effort between different agencies. A Palatine intern was also seen receiving training on the use of a hand line, showing how real-life emergencies provide valuable learning opportunities for new firefighters.
A McLaren sports car, one of the expensive vehicles inside the building, was among those at risk. Fortunately, many of the high-value cars were saved or moved to safety before the fire caused significant damage.
A video of the incident will be posted later. For more visuals, you can view the complete gallery of images here.
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