A Massachusetts firefighter was injured Nov. 18 while battling a four-alarm fire in Worcester.
Callers reported the fire at Forbes Street about 12:48 p.m.
Off-duty firefighters were called back for various functions.
Car 3 District Chief Sam Richardson observed heavy fire was coming from the rear of the building.
Due to the high winds, exposure C on Orne Street caught fire and exposure D at 9 Forbes Street caught fire.
Steep hills and many trees hindered aerial devices but crews were able to get Ladder 2's 100-foot aerial up on the A side and a Tower Ladder 3 on Orne Street tightly placed behind a house on the C side.
An interior attack was initiated with big lines to the rear of 5 Forbes to protect the exposure buildings and knock the bulk of the heavy fire.
The decision was made to pull all firefighters out and go into a defensive attack.
First-alarm companies included Engines 3,8,12,16 Ladders 1, 2, Rescue 1 and Car 3. The crew of Ladder 7 was the RIT.
The second-alarm was struck bringing Engines 6,13, Ladder 3 and Car 4 along with the safety chief and special ops chief.
Firefighters continued the exterior attack and a third-alarm was struck. That involved Engines 4, 11, Ladder 4. The fourth-alarm dispatch brought Engines 5 and 15 to the fire.
Auburn, Holden, Millbury and Shrewsbury departments were also called in to cover the city.
The Red Cross was called for five families that were displaced from the fire.
