At 2:37 pm on September 1, 2006, the Pearland, TX Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a residential fire alarm at 3323 Lawson. Units were also advised there was a report of a column of smoke in the same area.
Quint 44, Engine 21, Quint 14, Engine 31, Engine 41 and Rescue 51 responded. Pearland Fire Marshall's Office units 500, 502, and 503 also responded. Pearland Emergency Medical Services dispatched a Medic unit to the scene.
Unit 326 advised there was heavy fire on all floors, the attic, and through the roof of a large, two-story brick residence with detached garage and exposures on the B and D sides. The two-story home on the D exposure was showing initial signs of involvement and mutual aid was requested from Manvel Volunteer Fire Department which responded with Engine 1205 and Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department which responded with Chief 801 and Engine 1.
Quint 44 arrived first and laid a five inch supply line from a hydrant 600 feet to the southeast of the fire; a 1½" foam attack line was taken to the D side for exposure protection. A second 1½" foam line was taken to the B side to protect that exposure. As soon as the Quint was on the hydrant the Ladder pipe was put into service also with class A foam. Engine 21 arrived second and laid a second five inch line from a hydrant 300 feet west of the fire. The line was also used to supply Quint 44. A 2½" foam line could then be placed in service on a defensive attack from side A and the fire flow was increased on the ladder pipe.
The fire was substantially knocked down in about thirty minutes, although Pearland units remained on the scene until about 2030 hours. The mutual aid companies were released at approximately 1630 hours.
A joint investigation is under way by both the Pearland Fire Marshall's Office and the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. A K-9 unit was also requested from the Harris County Fire Marshall's Office.
