Lawrence, MA 2nd Alarm - 290 High St. - 7/6/16

Lawrence Police were alerted to a possible fire on Prospect St in which they sent 2 units. Enroute they reported heavy smoke showing from the bridge downtown. Fire dispatched Engines 5, 6, 7, Ladder 5, Rescue 1 and the Deputy C21. Engine 6 arrived with a heavy smoke and fire condition behind 209 Prospect St but were unsure about what was burning. Firefighters found a large outside fire behind the residence that had extended to a 2.5 story home, located at 290 High St, with multiple garages on both sides exposed. A 2nd alarm was requested bringing Engine 9, Ladder 4 from Lawrence as well as 2 mutual aid engines to the scene.

The fire was spreading rapidly and extended to 3 garages including 2 directly attached and 1 from a neighboring property. Firefighters were forced into a defensive posture almost right away due to the heavy volume of fire spreading rapidly thruout which included several cars and explosions from stored gasoline. Multiple lines were operated from all around the fire to keep it from spreading further. Cosmetic damage could be seen from all neighboring homes around the fire building.

The fire took a few hours to bring under control and including time spent wetting down and overhauling.