Northbridge, MA ~ A fast moving fire destroyed two 3 story apartment buildings on the corners of Church Ave and Cross Place in the Rockdale section of the town on May 4, 2013. Neighbors spotted heavy fire at 75 Church Ave and began to alert the residents of the fire. The exposure on the Charlie side was 35 Cross Place. This 3sty wdfm was sustaining extreme radiant heat from the original fire building.
A Northbridge Police Officer arrived first and reported heavy fire in two dwellings. All of the 12 families were reportedly out safely. Fire companies used big lines to attempt to knock down the heavy overlapping fire in the alleyway between the 2 buildings. The fire was now running the sidewalls up to the eaves of both structures.
A second and third alarm was demanded to the scene as heavy smoke was pushing from the apartment buildings. Companies attempted an interior attack but were beat back by the fires progression. Mutual aid ladder companies surrounded all corners of the houses and began to set up for master stream operations. Blitz guns and hand lines also circled the property.
The roofs of both residences began to chug heavy black smoke. Ladder operations commenced on opening up for vertical ventilation. The super charged gases that were released from the vent holes soon turned to fire. The roof of 75 Church Ave began to fail and collapse as the fire ragged in the attic space.
Command requested a Worcester Country District 7 Strike Team to the scene for manpower. Approximately 10 towns helped at the scene, including Sutton, Douglas, Grafton, Uxbridge, Upton and Leicester, plus the state Department of Fire Services and a canteen truck from Providence. Firefighters worked the master streams for several hours to get the fire under control.
A Northbridge Police Officer arrived first and reported heavy fire in two dwellings. All of the 12 families were reportedly out safely. Fire companies used big lines to attempt to knock down the heavy overlapping fire in the alleyway between the 2 buildings. The fire was now running the sidewalls up to the eaves of both structures.
A second and third alarm was demanded to the scene as heavy smoke was pushing from the apartment buildings. Companies attempted an interior attack but were beat back by the fires progression. Mutual aid ladder companies surrounded all corners of the houses and began to set up for master stream operations. Blitz guns and hand lines also circled the property.
The roofs of both residences began to chug heavy black smoke. Ladder operations commenced on opening up for vertical ventilation. The super charged gases that were released from the vent holes soon turned to fire. The roof of 75 Church Ave began to fail and collapse as the fire ragged in the attic space.
Command requested a Worcester Country District 7 Strike Team to the scene for manpower. Approximately 10 towns helped at the scene, including Sutton, Douglas, Grafton, Uxbridge, Upton and Leicester, plus the state Department of Fire Services and a canteen truck from Providence. Firefighters worked the master streams for several hours to get the fire under control.
Ken LaBelle
Capt Town of Lincoln Fire/Rescue 4
NRIFirePhotos.com
Capt Town of Lincoln Fire/Rescue 4
NRIFirePhotos.com
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