I was home for a family function this weekend, and, has been the custom over the past 50 years, I caught a job.

At 0345 Sunday, Fire Alarm was receiving multiple calls for a fire on Garfield St. in South Lawrence. Fire was in an unoccupied 3 decker, a three-story frame 25×75 probably 100 years old and of balloon-frame construction. Initial assignment 2E, Ladder 4 and Rescue = 12 personnel plus the deputy chief (Box 6111).

The 3rd engine was sent while companies were enroute. A 2nd alarm was quickly transmitted bringing the rest of Lawrence’s equipment ( 1 E and Ladder 5).Initially fire appeared to be on all floors including the basement and was in Sector C. Companies set up defensive and eventually the fire burned through the cockloft and roof and took the entire 3rd floor out.A 3rd alarm was pulled bringing Methuen and Andover pumps and a Lowell ladder to the scene. Station coverage was Dracut, Salem NH, and North Andover I think. Attached images show conditions on arrival; the extreme difficulty in placing ground ladders or even an aerial to get to the roof due to wires.  Ultimately 3  ladder pipes ( including Lowell Ladder 2) were in operation plus 4 hand lines.

Jim Regan

Jim Regan photo

Jim Regan photo

Jim Regan photo

Jim Regan photo

Jim Regan photo

Jim Regan photo