Methuen 3rd alarm.

Last night the bells and tones began to ring out in the Methuen stations for a possible structure fire at the Ashton Arms apartments on Ashton Place. The crews suited up and began to roll probably think like most calls to an apartment building “Ahh it’s burnt food!” But as they pulled up on scene their thoughts quickly change to “This is something!” with smoke and fire showing.

Crews stretched lines through the doors and into the heart of the building to begin battling the fire. But this was not gone to be an easy one with fire already traveling between floors. The on scene commander quickly requested the 2nd alarm on it.

“MAYDAY, MAYDAY I’ve fallen through the floor, I’m in a closet!” Began to come across the radios, making what was already a chaotic scene even more so.

“All companies out of the building!” command ordered, sounding the evac tones and horns on the rigs.

After a couple frantic moments the downed firefighter was removed from the building and crews began a defensive surround and drown posture.

Crews where not only battling a massive fire, they had to also battle the cold temps making the walkways and roads slippery especially as they became covered in water.

With the big guns and lines set up, crews dumped water onto the building into the wee hours of the morning.

American Red Cross assisted with aide for the displaced residences.