LOOP — The south side of eastbound Wacker Drive between Franklin and Wells streets was closed Tuesday to make room for a firetruck, parked in the right lane for a shooting of NBC's "Chicago Fire."
The shoot was scheduled to take three to four hours at that location, before filming at two other sites, with the day's work expected to end around 10 p.m., according to a crew member.
Mitch Stryck, 47, who works nearby at 222 N. LaSalle, said his office distributed notices warning employees that parking would be restricted for the show's filming. He told DNAinfo.com Chicago that he watched the first episode and liked the show, partly because of its location.
"It's the Chicago part of it that got me interested," Stryck said, adding that he can't wait to see the episode shot near his building.
The drama premiered last week. Its second episode, "Mon Amour," is set to air Wednesday at 9 p.m., according to NBC. A crew member onsite told DNAinfo.com Chicago that the footage being shot Tuesday will be used in the series' ninth episode.
Vera Campillo, 48, who also works near Wacker Drive and LaSalle Street, said the filming did not inconvenience her commute. She said she thought the taping was exciting, and hoped she would catch a glimpse of "Lady Gaga's boyfriend," the show's star, Taylor Kinney.
Chicagoan Sean Ryan, 45, was working on the set Tuesday, providing heating for the outside shoots. He said Chicago commuters haven't complained or given the crew any trouble.
"They've been good," he told DNAinfo.com Chicago. "They're all good in Chicago. We don't have problems like that in Chicago. This ain't New York."
The fire truck being used in "Chicago Fire" shoots is a real one, on loan from the Chicago Fire Department, Deputy District Chief Kevin MacGregor said. He said the department occasionally leases out spare rigs to production companies to help bring profitable film and TV projects to the city.
Traffic rerouting in the Loop is in effect until 2 p.m. on Wacker between North Franklin and North Wells streets, and parking is prohibited until 3 p.m. on Wacker Drive, on North Post Place between Wacker Drive and Lake Street, and on Lake Street between North Franklin and North Wells streets.
