Beverly - 3rd Alarm Fire, Duck Pond Road 5/3/07

Around 7 p.m. Beverly and Danvers firefighters responded to a report of flames coming from one of the units at a very large 3 story apartment building on duck Pond Road located off of route 128 at the Beverly, Danvers line. A Beverly police cruiser arrived on scene reported heavy fire conditions. Upon arrival of Beverly firefighters the Deputy Chief struck a 2nd alarm summoning mutual aid to the fire, as well as bringing in station coverage. Engine 5 along with other crews attempted an aggressive interior attack along with other crews, but were ordered out of the building due to fear of structural collapse. At this point fire was overtaking units on the 2nd and 3rd floors, as well as extending to units on the left and the right and into the open cockloft eventually taking full possesion of the roof.

A 3rd alarm was soon struck bringing more mutual aid to the scene, and at this point a very large crowd of spectators formed as numerous Danvers and Beverly Police units responded to keep crowds and traffic in order. Before long defensive operations went into full swing with Beverly Engine 5's Quint, Hamilton Ladder 4, Middleton Ladder 1 and Beverly Ladder 1 operating ladder pipes along with several deck guns and handlines. Ladder 1 was staffed by call back personnel later into the incident and brought to the fire, reserve Engines 2 and 4 were also put into to service with call back personnel to cover Headquarters and North Beverly to allow for some mutual aid companies to return during this very long fire.

The fire was brought under control around 10:30 p.m. after a long 3 1/2 hour battle. 30 residents were left homeless and were attended to by the Red Cross, Rehab 5 also responded to assist tired firefighters, as well as NorthEast Regional Ambulance to stand by. No injuries were reported to either civilians or firefighters. No cause has been determined as of yet.

Apparatus Response:
Intial Response: Beverly Engines 1,3,5, Car 2, Danvers Engine 3
2nd Alarm: Salem Engine 1, Wenham Engine 404, Hamilton Ladder 4
3rd Alarm: Manchester-by-the-sea Engine 4, Peabody Engine 1, Middleton Ladder 1
Additional Resources: Rehab 5, Northeast Regional Ambulance, Danvers Police and Beverly Police Units, Beverly reserve engines 2,4 and Ladder 1 staffed by call back personnel
Station Coverage: Headquarters - Marblehead Engine 2, Lynn Tower 4. North Beverly - Topsfield Engine 2. Beverly Farms - Essex Engine 1.

Video Clips From The Fire: Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3


Middleton Ladder 1 begins to set up their rig as spray from ladder pipes on the opposite side of the building can be seen coming over the roof.


3rd alarm companies going to work as fire spreads through the open cockloft.


The unit the fire is believed to have originated from.


As dusk begins to set in the stubborn fire continues to spread.


Another shot of Middleton's ladder pipe at work, it was one of four ladder pipes in operation. Two Beverly ladder pipes and one from Hamilton's ladder were put to work.


Fire can be seen spreading to units on either side of the unit of origin.


Dusk turns to night as apparatus and crowds still pack the neighborhood.


Portable deck guns were eventually set up to aid the ladder pipes and handlines in their fight.

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