Chicago Firefighters’ Vehicles Targeted in Second Parking Lot Fire This Week

Chicago police are investigating two separate incidents of vandalism targeting the personal vehicles of Chicago firefighters on the city’s South Side within a single week.

On the morning of April 10, 2026, a man wielding an ax damaged seven personal vehicles parked at a fire station located at East 59th and South State streets in the Englewood neighborhood.

The attack left ax markings slashed into the doors and windows of the vehicles. Patrick Quane, a member of the Chicago Fire Department and a representative for the Chicago Firefighters Union, stated that there were some gaping holes in the cars caused by this ax.

This event followed a previous incident on April 6, 2026, at a separate fire station near East Pershing Road and South Wabash Avenue in the Bronzeville neighborhood. During that earlier attack, approximately 12 member vehicles were damaged.

Targeted Patterns

According to Quane, it appears the same individual is responsible for both attacks. He observed a specific pattern in the offender’s behavior, noting that the suspect bypassed member vehicles parked on the street to specifically target those located in the parking lots.

Quane described the attacks as targeting firefighters’ personal vehicles at random.

We come to work to do our job, and we’re here for the citizens of Chicago, and now, somebody’s obviously out to get us and cause harm, which is very disheartening to our members

Patrick Quane, Chicago Firefighters Union representative

The impacted firefighters are facing heavy repair work for their vehicles. Quane noted that the members feel helpless in the situation, as they are not police officers and cannot apprehend the offenders themselves.

The Chicago Police Department is currently investigating the incidents. As of April 11, 2026, no one has been taken into custody.