Natick, Massachusetts firefighters received a call for "smell of smoke in the house" on Birch Road at 6:59 am on Wednesday, March 12th, 2003. Firefighters were soon updated by dispatch of a possible fire in the attic area.
When firefighters arrived on scene a "working fire" was ordered as heavy fire was showing from the first floor of a 1 1/2 story wood frame house. Overlapping fire quickly extended the blaze to the second floor.
Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire on the first floor but couldn't gain access to the second floor as it was blocked by debris. Firefighters had to then attack the fire defensively. Adding to the already hazardous situation, the fire burned through the electrical power line servicing the house which fell across Natick Ladder 1 and narrowly missed several firefighters.
Firefighters from Engines 1, 3 and 4, Ladder 1, Ambulance 1 and Car 2 responded to the call. Natick Engine 2 and a Wellesley Engine covered the town during the fire.
