At around 1900hrs on Christmas Day, calls began coming in about a possible structure fire in the area of Elm Street and Gaulin Ave.
At around 1900hrs on Christmas Day, calls began coming in about a possible structure fire in the area of Elm Street and Gaulin Ave.
First arriving companies had heavy fire showing from a vacant 4 story building at 163 Elm Street. A second alarm was quickly struck due to severe exposure problems on 3 sides. Multiple ladder pipes and big lines were used to protect the exposures which were only a few feet away.
After a short interior attack, all companies were ordered out of the building as fire made its way through the top two floors and roof. A third and fourth alarm were struck at this point which brought in all Woonsocket apparatus as well as mutual aid from Bellingham, Blackstone, Lincoln, Cumberland, and North Smithfield.
As soon as all companies were out of the building, ladder pipes began to knock down the heavy fire which was coming from the rear of the building and through the roof. Fire eventually made its way throughout the entire fourth floor which then collapsed onto the third floor. The D side exposure, another vacant 3 story wood frame which was less than 3 feet away, was saved by good exposure protection.
Heavy fire was knocked down after about two hours and companies were able to re-enter the building for overhaul which lasted throughout the night.
