<span><span><span>This is a cell phone photo taken shortly after arrival at a structure fire in Amherst Saturday morning by our pump operator Keith Hines. This home was about 2 or 3 miles from our station (Merrimack E-2) just over the town line. We were on the initial dispatch along with Amherst E-3, E-5, T-1, A-1, C-1 </span><span><span>. Myself and my Captain advanced a 1 3/4" line through the front door (approximately 20 feet down the D side) up the stairs and toward the C side into the open living room/ kitchen area. Prior to entering, we noted a well involved rear deck fire extending into this living area. While trying to advance the line we had near zero visibility with building heat. Initially we could hear but not see the flames. Our stretch was hampered by multiple pieces of furniture. While making our way to the fire room we observed flames beginning to roll over our heads. I opened the line which, according to our pump operator, caused the rear slider to explode and expel a large ball of flames off the rear of the structure. </span></span></span></span>
<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>We were making some decent progress, however, we suspected that the fire had extended into the attic above us. We fought the fire as long as we could but the inevitable happened and our water was running low as was our air. We backed out of the structu</span><span><span>re and handed our line to an incoming Amherst crew. Luckily for them, they took a more defensive position from where we were situated because within 7 or 8 minutes of our departure the roof caved in directly over where we were positioned. The fire escalated to 3 alarms bringing in crews from Nashua, Milford, Mont Vernon, Bedford, Hollis, as well as us and all of Amherst's apparatus. I'm happy to report that other than a minor injury to one of the Milford guys everyone, including the residents, made it out of the building safely.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
*Photo by Keith Hines posted w/ permission*
<span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>We were making some decent progress, however, we suspected that the fire had extended into the attic above us. We fought the fire as long as we could but the inevitable happened and our water was running low as was our air. We backed out of the structu</span><span><span>re and handed our line to an incoming Amherst crew. Luckily for them, they took a more defensive position from where we were situated because within 7 or 8 minutes of our departure the roof caved in directly over where we were positioned. The fire escalated to 3 alarms bringing in crews from Nashua, Milford, Mont Vernon, Bedford, Hollis, as well as us and all of Amherst's apparatus. I'm happy to report that other than a minor injury to one of the Milford guys everyone, including the residents, made it out of the building safely.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
*Photo by Keith Hines posted w/ permission*
Facebook
Google
Reddit
Twitter