Lawrence, MA 3rd Alarm - 118 Olive Ave. - 4/9/14
Just after 11:30pm, after receiving multiple calls for a house fire, Lawrence Fire Alarm transmitted Box 5111 for 118 Olive Ave in the Tower Hill section of the city near the Methuen line. Dispatched were Engines 5, 6 and 7, Ladder 5, Rescue 1 and Car 21, Deputy McInnis. With reports from Lawrence Police already on scene that there were possibly people still trapped inside the building, C21 requested Ladder 4 be added to the assignment.
Upon arrival, C21 reported a working fire with a heavy fire condition in the rear of the structure on floor 1 of a large 2.5 story wood frame structure. The fire was beginning to extend to the upper floor, so a 2nd alarm was requested bringing Engine 9 and a Methuen Engine as the RIT team. Companies advanced several hand lines into the building as well as trying to protect the exposures on either side of the fire building. Firefighters encountered numerous explosions of oxygen bottles stored on premises adding to the already heavy fire load. A 3rd alarm was transmitted by C21 bringing in additional manpower from Andover, North Andover, Dracut and Lowell.
With the numerous explosions continuing to provide dangerous conditions for crews inside, as well as the heavy fire conditions on floors 1 and 2 continuing to extend towards the attic, C21 pulled all companies out of the building to go into a defensive firefighting position. Several exterior hand lines as well as ladder pipes from Lawrence Ladder 4 and Lowell Ladder 1 were put into operation to try and knock the fire down. The fire eventually erupted thru the roof before firefighters could bring the fire under control.
Firefighters from Haverhill, North Reading and Salem, NH covered Lawrence firehouses while crews battled the flames.
As of this writing, a cause had yet to be determined and its unknown why so many oxygen bottles has been stored on site.
Once again, my hats off to Lawrence Fire personnel. This home was set back from the road some and completely blocked on the A side by 2 large pine trees, making aerial ladder operations near impossible. The Lowell ladder was put in operation after backing up Congress St, a VERY steep hill, and were able to set their truck up in a very impressive fashion in order to be put to use.
Just as a side note, this fire occurred in the first alarm district of the now closed Engine 8. Ill say again, while these jakes do it with what they have, is it a fair argument to say that if E8 had been open, it could have make a difference? Its sure possible.
Read MoreUpon arrival, C21 reported a working fire with a heavy fire condition in the rear of the structure on floor 1 of a large 2.5 story wood frame structure. The fire was beginning to extend to the upper floor, so a 2nd alarm was requested bringing Engine 9 and a Methuen Engine as the RIT team. Companies advanced several hand lines into the building as well as trying to protect the exposures on either side of the fire building. Firefighters encountered numerous explosions of oxygen bottles stored on premises adding to the already heavy fire load. A 3rd alarm was transmitted by C21 bringing in additional manpower from Andover, North Andover, Dracut and Lowell.
With the numerous explosions continuing to provide dangerous conditions for crews inside, as well as the heavy fire conditions on floors 1 and 2 continuing to extend towards the attic, C21 pulled all companies out of the building to go into a defensive firefighting position. Several exterior hand lines as well as ladder pipes from Lawrence Ladder 4 and Lowell Ladder 1 were put into operation to try and knock the fire down. The fire eventually erupted thru the roof before firefighters could bring the fire under control.
Firefighters from Haverhill, North Reading and Salem, NH covered Lawrence firehouses while crews battled the flames.
As of this writing, a cause had yet to be determined and its unknown why so many oxygen bottles has been stored on site.
Once again, my hats off to Lawrence Fire personnel. This home was set back from the road some and completely blocked on the A side by 2 large pine trees, making aerial ladder operations near impossible. The Lowell ladder was put in operation after backing up Congress St, a VERY steep hill, and were able to set their truck up in a very impressive fashion in order to be put to use.
Just as a side note, this fire occurred in the first alarm district of the now closed Engine 8. Ill say again, while these jakes do it with what they have, is it a fair argument to say that if E8 had been open, it could have make a difference? Its sure possible.
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