Reported Fire at Van Santis Trucking

July 8th, 2010. 2pm.

   MCFD daytime crews were alerted to a reported fire at Van Santis Trucking on Morgan Place in the Station 2 response area. Initial reports indicated that there was a fire on the roof. Engine 21 [Lt. Hoosock] and Battalion 1 Chief Zaferakis called out a minute after dispatch. Upon arrival, Engine 21 brought in the closest hydrant and laid out to the B (western) side of the building. Battalion 1 gave the report of smoke showing from a bay door on the A/B corner of the building. Engine 21 stretched an inch and three quarter handline and prepared for an aggressive interior attack. Engine 31 [FF Jennings] was second due and pumped Engine 21's hydrant. The crew from 31 backed up Engine 21 with a two inch handline. Engine 21 then radioed to command that the fire was contained to the end of the structure with a sprinkler system activation above the fire. Battalion 2 Chief Dembowski handled the interior sector. Engine 21 and 31 held the fire to the B/C corner of the building with minor extension to the wood trusses and overstacked wooden pallets along the B side of the building. Liverpool Car 1 assisted Battalion 1 at the command post. MCFD Truck 2 [Capt.Driscoll] helped interior crews with overhaul. Engine 41 [Capt. Zeppetello] stretched a handline to the A/D side of the building to check for extension. Liverpool Engine 3 stretched a two and a half inch line to back up interior crews. Liverpool Truck 2 took the C side of the structure, made a hole at the roof line,and extinguished fire with their master stream after crews took care of the fire inside. Moyers Corners Rescue 4 [FF Goodson] handled the RIT assignment. Mattydale Rescue 1 assisted with overhaul. MCFD Ladder 1 replaced Liverpool Truck 2 on side C and continued with overhaul. The sprinkler system helped keep the fire from spreading while an aggressive interior attack ensured the fire did not spread throughout the structure. A quick response and knock-down kept this fire at bay, especially considering the heavy fire load of wooden pallets and empty plastic storage throughout the structure.