Steering Wheel - Hilux,Black Car Steering Wheel,Interior Car Steering Wheel,Car Wheel Steering Changzhou Saina Automobile Industry Co., Ltd , https://www.jsczsaina.com
Beach Park commercial fire 5-20-12
A fire broke out early this morning at the Happyland Pet Store, located at 11432 W. Wadsworth Road in Beach Park. Police reported seeing smoke shortly after midnight, and the alarm was quickly escalated as first responders arrived on the scene. The blaze spread rapidly, prompting a significant emergency response.
According to the *Chicago Sun-Times*, the Beach Park Fire Department received the call at 6:06 a.m. Initial reports suggested someone was trapped in an apartment above the store, but all residents managed to escape safely.
The *Chicago Tribune* provided further details, stating that the pet store was completely destroyed after a fire started in the basement. Officials confirmed that animals such as hamsters, gerbils, fish, and reptiles were lost in the fire. Firefighters arrived around 6 a.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the building. As they entered, a flashover occurred, complicating rescue efforts. A water supply issue delayed firefighting operations, leading to the dispatch of over 75 firefighters from 15 surrounding communities, including Waukegan, Zion, and Newport.
Fire Chief Paul Tierney explained that the fire had been burning for some time before crews arrived. He noted that the fire originated in a concrete bunker-like basement with only one entrance, making it difficult to control.
Jeff Rudolph, Tim Olk, and Larry Shapiro were among the journalists who covered the incident. Jeff arrived shortly after the second alarm was called and captured several powerful images of the scene. His photos show thick smoke billowing from the front of the building, intense flames on the second floor, and firefighters working aggressively to contain the blaze.
Larry Shapiro also documented the event, capturing images of tower ladders from Gurnee and Lake Forest operating on opposite sides of the structure. Another photo shows a Beach Park engine struggling with a water shortage, prompting a tanker shuttle to be set up. Additional shots reveal the ongoing fire in the rear and basement area even after the main fire was controlled.
A gallery of Jeff’s images is available [here](#). Tim Olk has his own collection [here](#), and Larry Shapiro’s photos can be viewed [here](#). More images and video will be added soon.