Lawrence, MA 3rd Alarm - 32 Hall St - 1/29/14

Shortly before 4pm, Lawrence Fire Alarm transmitted box 2111 for the address of 32 Hall St. They had received 2 calls for a possible fire on floor 2 of the reported address. Dispatched were Engines 5,6 and 7, Ladder 5 and Rescue 1 along with Car 21, Deputy Kennedy.

The first arriving company, Engine 7, reported smoke showing. Soon after, a 2nd alarm was requested by C21 as firefighters attempted an aggressive interior attack on floor 2. They encountered heavy fire conditions in the walls and ceiling and despite their efforts, the fire had begun spreading to floor 3 and the cockloft area. After requesting a 3rd alarm and observing the rapid progression of fire on the upper floor, C21 ordered all companies to exit the building where firefighters went into a defensive attack on the fire. Heavy, overlapping fire began blowing out doors and windows on the B, C and D sides of the buildings 3rd floor and thru the roof. At points, low water pressure hampered firefighting efforts for a time but additional mutual aid companies were brought in to alleviate those issues. The fire was contained to the building of origin with little to no damage done to the threatened exposure on the D side of the structure. It took over 2 hours to bring the fire under control enough to send fire crews back into the building to start a very extensive and tedious overhaul process. Several families occupied the building and they have all been displaced. The Red Cross was on scene to make sure they were taken care of. A cause has yet to be determined.

On a personal note, I was at Lawrence Fire Headquarters when the call came in visiting a friend who was chauffeuring Engine 5. I don't normally have that kind of luck but I guess it was the right place at the right time. These guys busted their butts to try to get control of the fire and at one point, thought they may have had it. I can attest to that fact as I observed smoke dissipate as they attacked the fire on floor 2. But the fire had already spread to the upper floor and I, as they did, saw conditions deteriorate relatively quickly. I can also attest to the water issues. Its unfortunate, but like everywhere, theres areas of the city that just doesn't have great pressure. This is one of them. But as I said, these guys did a GREAT job with what they had and should be proud of their efforts.

Because of my pretty much first due arrival, I was able to capture the fire from the very beginning until and partly through the overhaul process. Theres a lot of photos in this gallery because of that. I would be completely remiss if I didn't thank the resident of a neighboring 3 decker who invited myself and 2 other photographers up onto their rear porches which had a spectacular view if the B/C side of the fire building. GREAT vantage point for photographing this job.