Sunday, August 10, 2008 Providence, Rhode Island
Vacant Building Burns In Late Night Fire In Providence
At 23:45 Still Box 1445 Beacon Avenue & Frank Streets was transmitted for a reported structural fire at 9-11 Frank Street Engine Companies 9,3,13 Ladder 8, Tower 1, Special Hazards & Division 1 responded. Tower 1 reported a heavy smoke condition which was visible for miles as they left quarters, At 23:47 Tower 1 arrived on scene and reported a "code red" with heavy smoke & fire from a 3 story vacant dwelling, Division 1 set up command and requested an additional Engine & Truck on arrival. Engine 10 (Safety) Ladder 5 (Fast) Engine 5, Air Supply & Rescue 4 filled in on the working fire assignment at 23:49, Engine 11 & Tower 2 were also dispatched on the special call. A aggressive interior attack began with fire on all floors on side 2, threatening the exposure 2 building which is a similar type vacant structure. Engine 10 was put to work and Engine 11 became the safety company as heavy fire conditions extended and took possession of the cock loft and roof area. Command evacuated the building at 00:09 as tower 1 was put to work in a lot on side 4 with a elevated master stream, while Tower 2 set up in the rear side 2 of the exposure building and accessed side 3 of the fire building. A defensive operation knocked down the heavy fire in about twenty minutes, companies then reentered to extinguish smaller pockets of fire and check for further extension, Ladder 8 remained positioned on side 1 and laddered floor 3 for a way of egress for members inside during overhaul operations. The fire was held to the building of origin with no extension to exposure 2, 2 firefighters were evaluated for minor injuries.