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On Wed. Oct. 14 at 1818 hours, our department received a residential fire alarm in our city. Response is an Automatic mutual Aid area with three cities. This area is very large residences and this one is approximately 10000 sq. ft. three story brick veneer wood frame structure. The first unit arrived in approximately 3 minutes and made a size up. No smoke was visible; the occupants were waiting in the front yard saying they could smell smoke. Upon entering the structure no smoke was visible but the odor of smoke was present. Upon reaching the second level the Captain observed smoke coming from the AC vents. The captain ordered two attack lines and two crews to begin pulling the ceiling in the second level. A RIT team was set up and a third line pulled. Before the first ceiling could be pulled smoke and heat levels began to rise rapidly. The Captain had set up IC and was doing observations around the structure when heavy smoke began coming from the roof above the area. Within three minutes fire broke through the roof. Interior crews advised heavy heat bean being felt. The IC ordered all crews out of the residence. An evacuation signal was sounded and crews began pulling back. As the last crew was exiting the building a collapse occurred in the area they had been working. Ceiling and attic structure collapse onto the second floor and caused a collapse of the second floor onto the first. Additional mutual aid was requested and defensive operations were begun and after a 6 hour defensive firefight the fire was put under control. The two exposures nearest the structure were saved with only minor damage. Two minor injuries were reported one fall and one heat exhaustion. The total loss will be in excess of 1.5 million dollars.
Lessons Learned
Following good IC and command and control saved us from a tragic end to this fire. We very possibly could have lost 5-6 firefighters in the collapse. Large structures can have very advanced fires burning in them with very little outward signs. Large open spaces with large amounts of combustible materials can cause very rapid fire development. Wood truss construction can lead to rapid collapse. And number one, would be the need for sprinkler systems in these very large residential buildings.