Fire Training Site

FLAMES TEAR THROUGH A ROW OF STORES IN BROOKLYN

By Bill Tompkins – http://www.btfirephotos.com/

Three alarms were needed to extinguish a fast moving fire that consumed seven businesses in Brooklyn on August 29th.

At 01:01, Brooklyn dispatch sent three engines, two trucks, and Battalion 33 to 1969 Flatbush Ave. for a report of a fire in a Chinese restaurant. A 10-75 was transmitted on arrival for heavy smoke issuing from the restaurant which was one of nine businesses in a taxpayer that covered Flatbush Ave from Lott Pl. to Flatlands Ave.

An additional engine and truck was requested at 1:07 followed quickly by a second alarm at 1:11 as smoke conditions in the adjoining businesses increased. Flames spread to the cockloft and extended to businesses on both sides. Operations went exterior as the fire continued to spread throughout the cockloft. A firewall protected the exposure “2A” (a hardware store) and “2B” (a supermarket), but the flames traveled easily through the common cockloft to involve six stores on the exposure “4” side. A third alarm was transmitted at 1:58.

By 3:00, it appeared that progress was being made. Five tower ladders as well as four handlines and 3 multi-versals had knocked down much of the fire and a firewall on the end of the taxpayer was keeping any fire out of a 2 ½ story bank on the corner. But shortly after 3:30, the light smoke condition in the bank intensified. Members opened up and lines were stretched. All firefighters were withdrawn from the building and shortly after, the first floor flashed over. A deck gun and several handlines knocked the fire down, and with the help of a sixth tower ladder, companies were able to re-enter for overhaul. The fire was able to be placed under control at 4:36.