3/16/25 Boston MA 9th Alarm Box 1715

OK I have two contributions to the fastest 5 alarms. Fastest in 5 minutes, 3/29/1968 First Church of Boston 288 Berkeley Box 1539 First @ 2:17, 2 and 3 @ 2:20, the 4th @ 2:21 and the fifth a minute later. Plus numerous s/c, total of 30 engines and 10 ladders. Fastest in 6 minutes, 2/18/67 the Crawford Building at 141 Tremont St. First at 7:11AM, 2-5 @ 7:1,1,16, and 17. Pls s/c for more, 31 engines and 6 trucks total
 
Stapleton was off duty (working the night tour), but did make the Bellflower Conflagration.

You were correct on the Berkeley Street fire (I was thinking Mass Ave, but it was Commonwealth Ave). Stapleton was working first due District (Car) 4 Chief into Box 1539 at Berkeley and Newbury Streets. On arrival he had the First Church of Boston fully involved with spread to three floors of the rectory in the rear and extension into all floors of an adjoining eleven story office building on the corner. The Deputy immediately called for the ten engines. All ladder companies were instructed to respond on Commonwealth and be prepared to make rescues and evacuations. 29 to 39 Commonwealth (five story apartment buildings) were burn-outs.

Nowadays, the best BFD can manage is a kinda nine alarms for a garbage pile with a roof on it.
 
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