At 0322 on May 5th, 2004, Savannah Firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at the corner of Waters Avenue and 32nd Street. The assignment includes two engines, one aerial ladder, one rescue, Scene Safety Officer, and Battalion 1. First due units reported a large volume of smoke in the air while still several blocks out. Upon arrival at 0325, units found a large two story wood frame structure fully involved. Engine 5 caught the plug on the corner in front of the structure while Engine 8 laid in from a second plug 300 feet away. An exterior attack was initiated with several 2 1/2" lines and Engine 5's deck gun. Truck 5 assisted with the fire attack by going into service with an aerial master stream.
The close proximity of exposures in both the bravo and charlie sectors was a concern for firefighters. Exposure protection was provided by several additional hand lines. Not long into the incident, the bravo wall collapsed onto the adjoining structure. A quick knock down of the fire ensued and very little damage was done to the exposure.
Even though the fire building was a total loss, firefighters did an excellent job of stopping the fire from impinging on the neighboring buildings. The house was undergoing extensive renovations, and the cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.
