A Fitchurg fire lieutenant walked away with minor injuries after a wall collapsed on him last week.
Just before midnight on March 4, firefighters were called to 114 River Street and found smoke coming from a one-story building. The 100,000 square-foot strip mall includes a number of business.
When firefighters found heavy fire in one business with extension to the common attic, a second alarm was called.
Lt. Michael Gelinas was operating a hoseline on the Delta side of the building when the roof collapsed, pushing the wall down on top of him. Gelinas was covered with debris and was pulled out by nearby firefighters.
He was evaluated by Med-Star paramedics and returned to working at the fire scene.
As flames engulfed the building and firefighters encountered water supply problems, third and fourth alarms were struck.
Firefighters used a defensive attack for over an hour.
According to fire officials, a faulty sprinkler system may have led to the destruction of the building. The system was shut down weeks before due to a water leak. And after a further investigating it, officials found a portion of the system had frozen in the section that was unoccupied.
Mutual aid came from many area departments both to the fire and the covering of the firehouses.
