Gloucester, MA - 8th Alarm - 80 Middle St - 12/14/07

This fire occured in a large multi story apartment building directly across from Gloucester Fire Departments Central Fire Station. Due to budget cuts and members out on another call, the only piece of apparatus in quarters when this was called in was Ladder 1 with 1 man. That kind of manpower shortage led to this fire spreading throughout the building, extending to several exposures as it was cold and windy being only a few blocks from the waterfront and a male occupant of the building was unable to be rescued. Mutual Aid was requested from many area departments to assist in bringing this fire under control which took several hours.