In the early morning hours of April 1st stations 3, 13, 9, & 7, 38 & 39 were all alerted for a vehicle into a structure on fire at 01:33 hours. Engines 32, 132, 91, Truck 3 & Captain 3 (Burroughs) were all responding about 90 seconds after dispatch. Dispatched advised Captain 3 the occupant of the vehicle was out per the police.

Engine 32 arrived on scene at 01:37 advising of a 2 story building with a vehicle into it and heavy fire. Engine 32 laid dual supply lines from the Expedition Drive and Engine 132 completed their water supply. Truck 3 was next arriving and set up on side A of the building. Both engine crews pulled attack lines and performed a blitz attack on the structure while Truck 3 attempted to throw ladders but were unable to due to the heavy fire. Instead Truck 3 made access into the building from a door on side D.

While crews were working on containing the fire Engine 32’s driver recommended a 2nd alarm be dispatched to Chief 3. Chief 3 then requested the 2nd alarm, bringing stations 83, 6, 1, 4, EMS 79 & 83 to the staging area.

Engine 32 then added an extra 100 ft line to their attack line and made entry on the first floor. Engine 132 used ground ladders to access the 2nd floor. The vehicle that ran into the building had taken out the primary stair case to the second floor. Crews later found the second staircase on side B. Tower 9 arrived and worked on utilities and Engine 73 and Squad 7 arrived and both established RIT.

Chief 3 (Gould) had arrived and assumed command from Captain 3. Chief 3 had all 2nd alarm units stage prior to the scene and called them in as needed. A manpower pool was created by command and those crews took over for the initial arriving crews when their air was low.

**Photos courtesy of SMNEWSNET.COM**