Milford, MA ~ A fire caused by an overheated laptop completely destroyed a two-family home at 24 Water Street on the morning of March 28, 2013. The 911 calls rang in around 0600hrs reporting a dwelling fire. The fire originated from the first-floor apartment of the two-story building, where a laptop had been plugged in overnight, causing it to overheat. The laptop was also in direct contact with combustibles, possibly a cardboard box filled with clothing.
Engine 3 arrived to find a heavy smoke condition from the front door with fire beginning to vent from the Side D windows. A Box was requested to be struck to recall the off duty firefighters. Ladder 1 positioned in front of the building to vent the roof. Attack lines went into operation through the front door into the fire apartment.
The fire was rapidly spreading upwards as the bedroom flashed over. The heavy overlapping fire spread upwards along the vinyl siding to the soffit and attic. Companies operated on all floors as the fire in the attic intensified. A second alarm was ordered bringing Franklin, Hopedale, and Bellingham to the scene or to cover. Command radioed that they had a few minutes left of interior attack as the fire was now blowing out of both gable ends.
Heavy black smoke was now billowing upwards into the sky as the roof was now fully involved. The OIC gave the order to evacuate the structure as conditions deteriorated. Milford Ladder 1 opened their waterway into the blaze along with several exterior hand lines. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes of master stream operation.
The fire was placed under control around 0830hrs. The building was determined to be a total loss. All of the occupants and pets were safely evacuated without injuries.
Engine 3 arrived to find a heavy smoke condition from the front door with fire beginning to vent from the Side D windows. A Box was requested to be struck to recall the off duty firefighters. Ladder 1 positioned in front of the building to vent the roof. Attack lines went into operation through the front door into the fire apartment.
The fire was rapidly spreading upwards as the bedroom flashed over. The heavy overlapping fire spread upwards along the vinyl siding to the soffit and attic. Companies operated on all floors as the fire in the attic intensified. A second alarm was ordered bringing Franklin, Hopedale, and Bellingham to the scene or to cover. Command radioed that they had a few minutes left of interior attack as the fire was now blowing out of both gable ends.
Heavy black smoke was now billowing upwards into the sky as the roof was now fully involved. The OIC gave the order to evacuate the structure as conditions deteriorated. Milford Ladder 1 opened their waterway into the blaze along with several exterior hand lines. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes of master stream operation.
The fire was placed under control around 0830hrs. The building was determined to be a total loss. All of the occupants and pets were safely evacuated without injuries.
Ken LaBelle
Capt Town of Lincoln Fire/Rescue 4
NRIFirePhotos.com
Capt Town of Lincoln Fire/Rescue 4
NRIFirePhotos.com
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