On The Job Missouri: Three-Alarm Fire Destroys Table Rock Lake Condominiums

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012, a three-alarm fire destroyed the Majestic Condominiums on the shore of Table Rock Lake near Branson, MO. Despite strong winds, inadequate water and a shortage of manpower on the initial alarm,

the fire was contained to the building of origin and no

firefighters or civilians were injured.

The 109,840-square-foot building was constructed in two phases; the first phase was completed in 2007 and the second phase in 2008. The four-story building was of Type V, wood-frame construction with a gable roof covered with composite shingles. Each floor contained 27,460 square feet, divided into 1,600-square-foot condominium units, 17 on each floor. The building had a fire alarm system and a 13R sprinkler system. There were no sprinklers on the decks off of each unit or in the attic.

First units dispatched

The Western Taney County Fire Protection District was dispatched to the fire at 3:20 P.M. Responding on the initial alarm were Western Taney County Engines 31 and 13, Ladder 54, Heavy Rescue 17, the 1,550-gallon Tanker 15 and 1,800-gallon Tanker 35 with 15 firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief 5, Danny Rylott. Automatic mutual aid was also dispatched on the initial alarm. The Branson Fire Department responded with Engine 3 and Tanker 3, carrying 1,000 gallons of water. The Southern Stone County Fire Protection District responded with Engine 6104 and Tanker 6107, with 1,500 gallons of water.

The first-arriving unit, Branson Engine 3, found fire on the third and fourth floors on sides A and C extending into the attic. All occupants had been evacuated by management before the arrival of the fire department, though it was reported that one person could possibly be still inside a condo unit on the third floor. A primary search was initiated by crews, but the person was soon accounted for by management.

Western Taney County Engine 31 and Ladder 54 along with Branson Engine 3 and Tanker 3 were positioned on side A. Branson Engine 3 laid a 300-foot, five-inch supply line from a hydrant at the A/B corner of the building to the center of side A. Firefighters advanced attack lines to the third and fourth floors from Engine 3. A 200-foot, three-inch line was stretched to the fourth floor. One 100-foot, 1¾-inch attack line was wyed off of the three-inch line and put into operation. A 300-foot, three-inch line was stretched to the third floor. A 100-foot, 1¾-inch attack line was wyed off of the three-inch line and placed into operation. At this time, conditions on side A were fire in the attic and loft extending down into three condo units and spreading horizontally to the B and D sides. On the C side, fire was spreading from the third-floor balcony to the fourth floor and into a third-floor unit.

Second alarm

Western Taney County Engine 31 Lieutenant Danny Macias requested a second alarm at 3:34 P.M. Western Taney County units responding on the second alarm were Engines 73, 42, 62 and 82, the 1,800-gallon Tanker 75 and Command 100 with a light trailer. The Branson Fire Department responded with Truck 2 and the College of the Ozarks Fire Department sent Engine 2. A Southern Stone County fireboat also responded.

Western Taney County Engines 42 and 62, both pumper/tankers with 1,800-gallon tanks, and Tanker 75 were assigned to tanker-shuttle operations. Branson Truck 2 was positioned on side C and set up for aerial master stream operations. College of Ozarks Engine 2 was placed in staging and its crew was assigned to firefighting operations in Division A.

Western Taney County Assistant Fire Chief James Single arrived on scene at 3:40 P.M. Single performed a 360-degree walk-around to evaluate the fire conditions and operations before assuming command from Rylott at 3:50 P.M.

Firefighter evacuation