Fully involved !!!!
On Saturday May 20th around 9:30 the North Reading 911 lines began to buzz as if it was a hornets nest full of hornets. "There's a house fire on Lakeside....!" the callers reported.
The tones quickly dropped and box 3231 began to tap out. An off duty officer who lives in the area quickly arrived on scene and reported a fully involved structure fire. North Reading's C1 who was also in the area arrived in the area quickly and reported as he approached heavy smoke up. After arriving on scene he requested the 2nd alarm.
North Reading's Eng2ine was the 1st due crew. They connected up the the hydrant and pulled into the side yard of a neighboring home. This move by Eng2ine crew protected the neighboring exposures and got water to the fire quickly with the Deputy Chief opening up the deck gun.
Once the pump op. knew he had a water supply him and a civilian laid in a 2 1/2 hand line into the side yard and begun flowing water awaiting the next due company to come in an take over.
The extent of the fire upon arrival dictated the method of attack. With heavy fire showing from all side and roof the right choice of surround and drown in a defensive attack was made.
Wilmington Eng2ine was the next unit to arrive and they connected up to NRFD's E2 for a supply and laid into the opposite side of the structure and doing the same with its deck gun open pouring water on the fire.
North Reading's Eng1ine. Eng5ine, Lad1der and Res2cue also responded to the fire. Additionally on the 2nd alarm Reading's Eng3ine, Middleton's Eng2ine, Lynnfield's Lad1der and as mentioned above Wilmington's Eng2ine responded to the scene.
During the height of the fire the town was covered by additional mutual aid from Lynnfield and Wakfield.
The bulk of the fire was knocked down in a couple hours and mutual aid companies where released as the situation allowed. Crews operated on scene for about 8 hours wetting down the hot spots.
Crews did have to respond back to the building the following day to continue wetting down hot spots using a water / foam mix.
Great job by all involved!
