Beverly - 3rd Alarm +, Cabot Street 12/26/07

At approximately 12:45 pm Beverly fire crews responded to a reported structure fire at a large 3 story, 6 unit apartment building in the city's Gloucester Crossing neighborhood. Beverly firefighters arrived to find smoke issuing from the eaves and 3rd floor of the building. Two off duty Beverly Police officers had evacuated all of the residents prior to the fire department's arrival, although firefighters did receive reports of a child trapped in the building from one of the residents, that report was later found to be erroneous.

Firefighters soon found themselves in the midst of a fierce interior battle which resulted in a 2nd and soon a 3rd alarm being struck. Swampscott Engine 21 as well as Beverly Engine 2 and Ladder 1 which were staffed by callback personnel responded over the 3rd alarm on special call. Just as conditions began to improve, fire quickly erupted from the cockloft and began burning through the roof an facade rapidly. Three blasts from an air horn sounded the temporary evacuation as four ladder pipes, and several handlines worked to knock down the heavy fire venting from the cockloft. Once the heavy fire was knocked down, crews re-entered the building to continue interior operations. The fire was knocked down around 4 pm and crews began extensive overhaul that would last through the night. The next day, Cabot st. at Gloucester Crossing was still closed to traffic due to the fire.

Apparatus Response:
Initial Response: Beverly Engines 1,3,5 and Car 2, Car 1 (Chief)
2nd Alarm: Salem Engine 2, Danvers Engine 3, Hamilton Engine 503, Wenham Quint 405
3rd Alarm: Topsfield Engine 2, Middleton Engine 1, Manchester-by-the-sea Engine 4
Special Call Over 3rd: Swampscott Engine 21, Beverly Engine 2, Beverly Ladder 1, Peabody Air Supply Unit, Beverly M1 (Mechanic)
Additional Resources: Rehab 5, Beverly Police, Northeast Regional Ambulance, Beverly Emergency Management
Station Coverage: Peabody Ladder 1, Marblehead Engine 2 and Ipswich Engine 2


Smoke vents from the building as the deputy chief descends Engine 5's ladder after evaluating conditions on the roof.


Two Manchester firefighters getting ready to go to work.


Manchester firefighters going up to the roof.


A Beverly firefighter venting a window on the 3rd floor.


Firefighters about to open the roof, as condtions begin to deteriorate.


Beverly Engine 5 puts it's ladder pipe into operation as fire begins to take hold of the roof.


Firefighters are now back on Engine 5's stick pulling off pieces of the burning facade.


Firefighters on Engine 5's ladder as well as firefighters on the ground focus handlines on the A-B corner of the building.


Engine 5 now relocates it's ladder to the A-D corner of the building as fire begins to show from there.


Hitting the fire with a handline.


Crews outside the building as operation go defensive.


Beverly firefighters outside the B side of the building as operations go defensive for a short time.


Wenham firefighters stretching a handline up their aerial on the D side of the building.


Middelton Engine 1's crew waits outside the building as the Rapid Intervention Company.

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