Operations & Training

FFs Rescue Two Fleeing MA Fire on Plank: 'It Saved Their Lives'

March 8, 2021

“I never saw that before in my career," said West Springfield's deputy fire chief about how two residents escaped a three-alarm fire by making it to a roof where crews could safely reach them.

By Patrick Johnson

Source masslive.com

West Springfield, MA, crews battled a three-alarm fire Sunday, and two trapped residents used a plank to reach an adjacent roof so that firefighters could rescue them.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA—Two third-floor residents of a Barnard Street apartment who were trapped by flames Sunday night in a three-alarm fire escaped to safety by running a plank from their window to the roof of an adjacent auto garage, a fire official said.

Deputy Chief Steven Manchino said the fire at 11-13 Barnard St. caused heavy structural damage to the interior and roof, but everyone got out safely.

“We’re lucky and grateful that everyone was able to evacuate safely,” he said.

The 2½-story multi-family residence was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at around 9:30 p.m. There were reports initially that two people were trapped on the third floor and were unable to escape, he said.

Crews are actively working a scene at 11/13 Barnard St - No injuries to report at this time.
Posted by West Springfield Fire Department on Sunday, March 7, 2021

Firefighters were preparing to conduct a search and rescue when someone spotted two people on the adjacent garage waving for help, he said. Firefighters used a ladder to bring them to the ground.

Manchino said they escaped the flames by running an 8-inch by 2-inch plank from their apartment window to the garage roof next door, and then walking across it to safety.

He said they kept the plank in their apartment as a precaution in case the building caught on fire and they needed to escape. And that was exactly what happened, he said.

“I never saw that before in my career,” he said. “It obviously saved their lives.”

It took firefighters nearly 5 hours to bring the flames under control, he said.

West Springfield firefighters were aided at the scene by Springfield and Agawam, and with station coverage by Holyoke and Westfield.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and is being investigated by West Springfield fire officials and the state Fire Marshal.

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