Visitors 29
Modified 29-Nov-19
Created 4-Oct-19
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On Friday, October 4, 2019 the Channel 11 news helicopter was flying over the City when he spotted a fire on the west side of town. When he flew closer to investigate he discovered a fire involving a large shed in a rear yard in the 2500 block of West Fayette Street. A very strong and gusty wind was blowing and within minutes the fire ignited the backs of several houses.
At 1719 hours Engine 30 was dispatched to investigate a “shed fire”. When they arrived there was heavy smoke coming up over the rooves of the houses. They began to enter the house to investigate the situation. It wasn’t until 10 minutes later that the fire box was struck out. By this time the fire gained headway and now involved three houses. The whole backs were now well involved and fire was rolling up onto the roof tops setting them ablaze.
Units were now arriving and beginning an interior attack on several of the houses. Battalion Chief 3 arrived, took command, and made it a working fire. Within minutes of entering the houses crews were screaming to evacuate due to the heavy fire conditions in the rear being blown towards them by the wind. Command requested a second alarm and exterior operations commenced. Crews made their way to the roof to stop the spread of the wind-whipped fire. By now the fire was burning on 6 houses involving the rear and rooves as well as inside several of them.
After the fire was knocked down crews were able to enter each house to extinguish the interior fires. The fire was brought under control in about 90 minutes. When it was over 6 houses were damaged and 2 had to be condemned.
No injuries were reported and all of the occupants of the houses escaped unharmed. Units were on the scene well into the evening chasing down hot spots and overhauling.
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