At 6:39 pm, The Spencer Fire Department was dispatched for a reported shed fire at an apartment complex.
A firefighter responding from his home, near the complex, immediately called dispatch to advise that it was a working structure fire.
First arriving units tried to make an interior attack but due to heavy fire conditions and low water pressure from hydrants within the complex they were forced to change to exterior operations.
Numerous supply lines were laid from hydrants outside the complex to insure adequate water flow. After knocking down the fire with deck guns, ladder pipers and hand lines crews were able to reenter the building to overhaul and extinguish the fire.
The fire was brought under control after about 45 min. Crews were on scene until after midnight with the last unit leaving after fire watch around 3:30 am.
The fire caused extensive damage to 5 apartment within the 10 unit building, and caused smoke and water damages to 5 other units. The fire also caused some exterior damage to an adjacent building.
Five of the ten units were vacant at the time of the fire. All tenants escaped without injury and there were no reported injuries to firefighters.
Several cats were also saved from the building.
Spencer Fire was initially assisted at the scene from the towns of Leicester, East Brookfield, Brookfield, North Brookfield, Sturbridge, Charlton, Rutland, Paxton, Oakham, with Southbridge covering Spencer's station.
Due to the hot weather the East 1 strike team was also called in bringing the towns of Douglas, Northbridge, Millbury, Upton, and Grafton.
Members of the Spencer Rescue Squad and Spencer Emergency Management were on scene to assist with rehab efforts for fire fighters.
