Home»Fire Incidents»2008 Incidents»2nd Alarm New Bedford, MA 330 North Front Street September 10, 2008

NEW BEDFORD, MA – First alarm companies arrived at 330 North Front Street to find heavy smoke showing from a 30x60 3sty wdfm dwelling around 1045hrs on September 10, 2008. Engine 8 found heavy fire taking possession of the third floor rapidly extending into the attic. Handlines were stretched into the well involved floor as the OIC had a report of possible occupants inside. Companies began an aggressive search which proved to be negative. Heavy fire had overtaken the upper floor forcing command to have companies back out for a defensive attack. Ladder 1 reported heavy fire venting out of the “C” side gable end of the dwelling as companies went defensive. The bulk of the heavy fire was knocked down allowing companies to return inside to extinguish the hidden fire. Interior crews reported weaken floor joist on the 2nd and 3rd floors while they were overhauling. Command ordered Ladders 1 and 4 to position their sticks on the “B” side to open up the side wall to find the hidden fire extending upwards.The fire peeked out again as the truckies opened the side wall with chain saws and axes. A 1 ¾” handline was pulled up Ladder 1’s stick to finish the fire off. Unconfirmed reports were that this building had a fire in it some years ago. Remodeling was done with light weight construction and trusses. The fire was under control in about an hour and a half using a 2nd alarm equivalent assignment.