2-Alarm and Box Alarm fire in Bartlett, 2-3-22
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As I sit here reflecting on the events that unfolded this morning, I can't help but think about the sheer magnitude of what happened at the Brewster Creek Business Park in Bartlett. It all started around 10 a.m., when smoke alarms first went off at Access, a secure document storage facility located at 1200 Humbracht Circle. The warehouse was packed wall-to-wall with boxes of documents, essentially acting as kindling for the fire that would soon rage out of control.
Initially, the sprinkler system seemed to be doing its job, keeping the flames at bay. However, when the steel racks holding those boxes collapsed, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already grown into a full-blown inferno, fueled by the vast quantities of paper stored inside.
Access released a statement later saying all their employees were safely evacuated and were now cooperating with local authorities to investigate the cause of the fire. It's a relief to hear that everyone made it out unscathed, but the damage is extensive—this warehouse has been completely destroyed.
I arrived at the scene around 10:30 a.m., responding to a second-alarm MABAS box call. By then, Bartlett firefighters had already managed to enter the building using mobile ventilation units (MVUs) to clear out some of the thick smoke. My focus was primarily on capturing photos of the massive firefighting operation underway. As the day progressed, the crews gradually wrapped up their efforts, with most leaving the scene except for the Bartlett teams who stayed behind longer. Around 3:45 p.m., they called for another alarm due to the persistent heavy fire.
Looking around, I couldn’t help but notice the sheer number of emergency vehicles present. There must have been dozens of trucks and personnel on-site, all working tirelessly to contain the situation. While I didn’t get detailed shots of every single moment, the images I took should give you a sense of just how intense this event was.
Attached below is one of the photos I snapped during my time there. This fire will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the community, not only financially but also emotionally for those affected. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and safety measures in preventing such disasters.
![Larry Shapiro photo]
[Note: Some image URLs appear broken or missing, so placeholders have been left for the respective captions.]