On Saturday, August 31, 2024, around 8:20 pm, the Bridgeport ECC received calls reporting a house fire in the unit block of Alpine St near Beardsley Park. This "Nancy-2" assignment consisted of: Engine 15, Engine 6, Engine 10, Engine 1 as RIT, Ladder 5, Ladder 10, Ladder 6, Safety Officer 1, Battalion 1, and Battalion 2. The Rescue cleared from a run and responded to the fire in place of Ladder 6. Bridgeport PD arrived first on scene and confirmed a fire, followed by Ladder 10, reporting a 2-1/2 story wood frame behavioral health facility with heavy fire showing from the right side of the building. Battalion 2, under the command of Asst. Chief William Hathaway, arrived on scene, assumed command, and gave an all-hands-working fire. 2 lines were initially stretched and operated and the main body of fire was quickly knocked down. Ladder 5 performed vertical ventilation on the roof and uncovered a large amount of fire in the attic of the building. Additional lines were stretched as fire started coming through the vent hole and popping out through different parts of the roof. AC Hathaway requested an extra engine and ladder over the working fire, bringing Engine 12 and Ladder 6 to the scene. Approximately an hour after companies first arrived on scene, the decision was made to transfer to a defensive operation. All members were pulled out of the building and Ladder 5 and Ladder 10 were hooked up to flow water from their master streams. After about a half hour, companies moved between offensive and defensive due to many spots of hidden fire in the building's upper floors causing the fire to light up again. Eventually, around 11:35 pm, recall of the alarm was placed, with Ladder 6 and Rescue 5 being returned to service. Companies continued to work for several hours, performing extensive overhaul on the building until they were sure all hot spots of the very stubborn fire were out. Bridgeport Car 1, Car 3, Training 3 with the Command Vehicle, and FM-9 also responded to this fire. 2 Firefighters were injured during the course of this fire. 1 Firefighter was treated and released at scene, the other was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and is expected to be okay. The American Red Cross is assisting the occupants. This fire is under investigation by the Bridgeport Fire Marshal's Office.
All photos from this incident can be found on my website at:
https://sayjebphotos.smugmug.com
Connecticut Fire Photographers Association
Bridgeport, CT Fire Department
Bridgeport Firefighters, IAFF Local 834
Quarters Of Engine 10 & Ladder 10
Quarters of Engine Company 12