Lawrence, MA 3rd Alarm - 10 Elm St - 4/2/15

Just after 12:30am, Lawrence Police received a phone call reporting a possible fire at 10 Elm St. Lawrence Fire transmitted Box 2111 for that address, sending Engines 5, 6, 7, Ladder 5, Rescue 1 and Car 21 Deputy Dan Kennedy.

Car 21 reported smoke showing on arrival and soon thereafter requested a second alarm assignment to the scene bringing Engine 9 and Ladder 4. Firefighters found fire in the walls on floor 2 that had extended from floor 1. After a quick search of the building by Rescue 1, it was determined that all occupants were out of the building.

I arrived about 20 minutes after the 2nd alarm had been requested and there was not much showing. It looked and sounded as if the bulk of the fire had been knocked down. But the fire had travelled thru the walls into the third floor and cockloft of the structure. Heavy smoke started pushing from the D side third floor window and it was determined that a 3rd alarm was necessary. Additional fire companies from Methuen, Andover, North Andover and a Lowell tower ladder responded to the fire.

Heavy fire conditions took over the cockloft of the entire U shaped building and companies were pulled from the structure in favor of a defensive posture. Due to water pressure issues, additional engine companies from Dracut, Haverhill and North Reading were requested to the scene to assist in maintaining an adequate water supply.

Defensive operations went of for quite some time as fire broke thru the roof of the building and raged until firefighters were able to gain the upper hand. Fire companies remained on scene for the rest of the night and well into the daytime hours overhauling the building and wetting down hot spots.

Coverage for the city was brought in with engine companies from Middleton, Danvers, Reading and a ladder from Salem, NH while Lawrence units were tied up at the fire.

At this point, a cause has been determined to be soldering of pipes in a first floor bathroom as the cause.