When directors, actors and crew of the Chicago Fire television show were getting ready for filming early Thursday evening, at least 100 people gathered in the grassy field opposite the Pickwick Theater to watch.
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By about 7:30 p.m., though, as more curious residents started to arrive, a show staffer ordered all the onlookers to move way, way back — basically to the Touhy Avenue sidewalk — so that they wouldn’t show up in the scenes. Audible groans were heard from spectators, who had had prime positions up until then.
The filming didn’t start in earnest until it grew dark, and after 8 p.m., onlookers gasped when they saw flames arising from the top of the Pickwick’s roof, on both sides of the marquee. Television crews turned the flames on and off, similar to a gas-powered fireplace. By that time, spectators were watching from across the street on Northwest Highway, to the east, and as close as they could get to the Park Ridge Library, on the west.
Some Park Ridge residents posted selfies of themselves with actors from the show on social media, and a Starbucks barista said Saturday she had served actor Joe Minoso.
Filming also took place Friday and Monday.
Check back to learn air dates for the show after they become available.
