Chongqing Huanyu Automobile Sales Company , http://www.huanyuauto.com
The Long Grove Fire Department was called this morning to a house fire at 1889 Checker Road. The structure had been used for training purposes over the past two weeks by the Long Grove Fire Department and eight other local departments, who conducted multiple interior fire drills daily. Training concluded yesterday, and the department had planned to demolish the building on Saturday morning as part of a controlled burn for the property developer, with residents invited to witness the event.
However, this morning’s call came about due to a delay—approximately 20 minutes—when a neighbor initially thought the fire department might still be conducting training. Once it became clear that the fire was real and unattended, she immediately called emergency services. The Long Grove Fire Department responded with their full crew, including Tanker 55, since there are no hydrants nearby. The first arriving unit reported a working fire on the north side of the house, where a large stack of wooden pallets had been stored.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the garage already down, and the pallet pile was fully involved in flames. A five-line operation was quickly set up by Squad 55, with Tanker 55 supplying 3,000 gallons of water. Additional support came from Prospect Heights and Fox Lake, as the department aimed to prevent the structure from being completely destroyed. Engines from Buffalo Grove and Palatine, along with an ambulance from Arlington Heights for medical support, also arrived on scene.
Despite the intense fire, much of the house was saved. Firefighters worked aggressively to contain the blaze, using both exterior and interior lines. Foam was applied to smoldering areas to conserve water, and the fire was eventually brought under control. Prospect Heights Tanker 9 provided critical support, bringing an additional 3,000 gallons of water just as the Long Grove tanker ran low. The Fox Lake tanker made two trips to refill its tank, highlighting the logistical challenges of the remote location.
Photographers Larry Shapiro and Tim Olk were on-site capturing the event, documenting the efforts of firefighters as they worked through the night. The house, located half a mile into the property with a gravel driveway, required careful positioning of all units. The fire was finally contained, and the structure will be burned down on Saturday as planned.
A full gallery of images from the fire can be viewed [here](#). Additionally, a collection of photos from the recent live-fire training sessions is available [here](#) and [here](#), showcasing the extensive preparation that took place over the past two weeks.
During the training, departments from Wheeling, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove, and Barrington participated. Multiple evolutions were conducted daily, including interior fire attacks and victim searches. On the final day, fires grew more intense, and the last drill took place in a first-floor room, simulating realistic conditions for the firefighters.
An embedded video of the incident is available below: