On September 4, 2005, Suffolk firefighters were alerted for a fire outside of a structure at 426 County Street, in the city's heavy industrial area. While exiting the station, units reported heavy smoke in the area.
B1 arrived and reported a large 5 story warehouse with fire showing from the top 3 floors and ordered all units to perform a defensive attack.
The 56,000 sq. ft. warehouse was heavily involved upon arrival and units went into service with deluge guns and large diameter hoses protecting several exposures.
The building bordered a rail line which was closed for the duration of the fire.
Two ladder trucks operated on opposite sides darkening the fire while firefighters maintained the collapse zone.
Several minutes after arrival the top four floors collapsed into the first floor.
The building known as the Pond Bros Peanut Company had been a landmark in the city for over a century.
The building had been vacant for years and was scheduled for demolition.
The fire building was surrounded by another single story warehouse and several grain silos. Remarkably, only a small amount of grain inside one of the silos caught fire.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue responded with three engines, two ladders, one heavy rescue, and the one battalion chief.
No injuries were reported and crews worked throughout the night extinguishing hots spots.
