Powder Coating Production Line Powder Coating Production Line,Powder Coating Line,Automated Powder Coating Line,Powder Coating Gun Foshan Meitu Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd , https://www.meitumachinery.com
From Phil Stenholm:
Another installment about the History of the Evanston Fire Department.
BOLTWOOD
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, January 9, 1927, at exactly 1 PM, a young Boy Scout named LeRoy Kreutzer noticed thick plumes of smoke rising from the Boltwood Intermediate School at the intersection of Dempster and Elmwood. At the time, Boltwood School was the only junior high in Evanston and also served as the local Boy Scouts' headquarters. Interestingly, it had previously been Evanston Township High School for forty years until the new ETHS campus opened on Church and Dodge in 1924.
LeRoy immediately pulled the fire alarm at box #313 near Dempster and Elmwood, then hurried to wake up Chief Albert Hofstetter at his home on Sherman Avenue. The Chief quickly made his way across the alley to meet the arriving fire trucks from Station #1. It became evident almost instantly that the fire had originated in a manual arts classroom in the basement. Though limited to just one room, the dense smoke throughout the school complicated access for the fire crews. Despite the challenging conditions, a clever monkey and several white mice from the science lab were successfully rescued.
Firefighters tried to ventilate the heat and smoke using their trucks, but a sudden strong gust of wind rushed into the building, fanning the flames. The fire swiftly spread past the firefighters, climbing an interior staircase before bursting out through second-story windows.
A General Alarm was declared, summoning every available EFD firefighter to the scene. The situation grew dire as there was a real risk that the fire might leap across the alley and threaten homes, including Chief Hofstetter's house, located to the east of the school, as well as the businesses along Dempster Street. After two firefighters narrowly escaped when part of the roof collapsed, Chief Hofstetter ordered everyone inside to evacuate, shifting the strategy to a defensive stance.
With the EFD struggling to contain the inferno, Chief Hofstetter reached out to the Chicago Fire Department for help. Unlike previous incidents where Chicago sent no more than two engine companies, this fire warranted a much larger response. Under the command of 1st Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Jerry McAuliffe, the Chicago FD dispatched six engine companies, two ladder companies, a high-pressure wagon, and even a water tower to Evanston.
The chaos from the influx of fire trucks and curious spectators led to at least two traffic accidents. At its peak, engines were drawing water from hydrants scattered across a six-square-block area. An estimated 20,000 onlookers—roughly one-third of Evanston's population at the time—gathered to watch the dramatic event unfold. Off-duty Evanston police officers were called in to manage the growing crowds and traffic congestion.
Thanks largely to the substantial aid from the Chicago Fire Department, the fire was eventually brought under control. While Boltwood School was severely damaged, the adjacent homes across the alley and the businesses on Dempster Street were spared. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries. Total damage amounted to $308,500, marking the costliest fire in Evanston history up to that point. Two new junior high schools replaced Boltwood: Nichols in South Evanston and Haven in North Evanston (Haven initially housed both middle grades and elementary classes, replacing Cranston Elementary).
Following the Boltwood fire, questions arose regarding the competency of the Evanston Fire Department. A city council investigation revealed what should have been obvious: the EFD of 1927 was essentially a small-town department operating in a city of 60,000 residents. It was understaffed, under-resourced, and lacked sufficient water pressure capabilities, making a catastrophe like the Boltwood fire almost unavoidable.
In response, Evanston voters approved a $75,000 bond issue during the April 5, 1927 city election. These funds brought significant changes to the EFD:
1. Within a year, twenty (later expanded to 23) additional firefighters were hired.
2. A fourth fire station was built.
3. Two new engine companies were formed.
4. Two 1000-GPM pumpers were acquired.
5. A portable high-pressure turret nozzle was added to the fleet.
6. A Fire Prevention Bureau was established.
These upgrades marked a turning point for the Evanston Fire Department, enhancing its ability to protect the growing city effectively.