Around 4 a.m. on May 22, Worcester firefighters were dispatched for a building fire at 11 Goulding St.
With multiple callers telling 9-1-1 dispatchers that children were trapped on the third floor, Box 16-02 for Lancaster and Highland Streets was struck.
Firefighters found heavy fire in the rear of the building. Crews rapidly entered in search of an unknown number of occupants reported to be inside.
The fire quickly spread from the first floor, and within minutes was through the roof of this traditional Worcester type triple decker.
At the same time as crews searched the building, Worcester EMS with a total of five medic trucks stood by. During the fire, private ambulance services were put on alert.
In the early stages of the fire WEMS medics transported 5 civilians. One child who was reported in ok condition was being carried down the street and quickly swept away in an ambulance. Another 2 adult victims were transported as they were forced to jump from the inferno from the second floor landing on the ground below.
Worcester firefighters never stopped searching for the kids reported still inside the building. Realizing how hard the crews had been working, command requested a third alarm to bring fresh people to the scene.
The fire was eventually brought under control. Two firefighters also were transported to the hospital. One appeared to suffer from burns to the back of the neck.
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