Box alarm: E1, E7, T1, R1 & C2
2nd Alarm: E5, E3 & L3
3rd Alarm: Wayland E1, Southborough E22, Marlboro T1
On arrival C2 found moderate black smoke showing from a “A” side balcony on the 4th floor of an occupied 6 story fire resistive apartment building.
The building was in the process of being evacuated. C2 immediately assumed command and requested a 2nd alarm.
E1 arrived on the C side of the building with nothing showing and the panel indicating alarms on the 4th floor. Soon after arrival Fire Alarm announced they were receiving calls of smoke on the 5th floor. E1 crew proceeded to the 4th floor where they discovered a moderate smoke condition in the 4th floor center lobby. E1 then made the standpipe in the center stairwell and attempted to locate the fire apartment with a water can and were met by heavy heat and smoke in the west hallway. E1 crew backed out to advance the 2″ line connected to the standpipe. E1 was again pushed back due to low water pressure and a poor water stream. E1 crew was met by R1 as they began to exit due to low air. During their exit a member of E1 issued a mayday call due to becoming disoriented and extremely low on air. The crew was able to self-rescue into the 4th floor east hallway without incident.
On arrival E7 established a water supply utilizing a hydrant on the east end of the building laying 300′ of LDH to the center FDC. Using another 100′ of LDH the FDC was charged. E7 crew then proceeded to the fire floor to assist with advancing the hose lines and fire extinguishment.
On arrival R1 was assigned to search the fire floor (4). R1 searched the “B” side exposure apartments with no residents found. R1 then relieved E1 on the hose line as they were exiting the fire floor. With the water supply established, R1 was able to advance to the fire apartment and knock down all visible fire.
On arrival T1 (running in spare L2) was directed by command to the “A” (Rt 9) side of the building to deploy their aerial to the fire apartment balcony on the 4th floor to prepare for horizontal ventilation. T1 was able to shut the slider and window to the fire apartment until the hose line was in position. T1 attempted to darken down the fire with a water can but was pushed back due to the high heat. Once the hose line was in position, T1
opened the slider and vented the apartment windows. After changing bottles, T1 was assigned to the 6th floor to monitor condition and begin ventilation on upper floors.
On arrival E2 was assigned to the 5th floor for primary search. one resident was found in the hallway and directed to the west stairway to exit the building safely. Following the search E2 assisted with ventilation of upper floors.
With the delay getting water on the fire due to low pressure and the possibility of trapped civilians, C2 transmitted the 3rd alarm. On arrival L3 was directed by command for the driver to set up their aerial on the “C” side of the building in the event it would be needed for rescue.
The remainder of the crew was directed to the 4th floor to assist with primary and secondary searches in “D” exposure apartments on the fire floor with nothing found.
On arrival E5 was directed to establish a back up line on the fire floor and assist with extinguishment. After changing bottles, E5 then conducted searches in the apartment across from the fire apartment locating a 10 year old girl in the apartment. E5 left a member with the child on the balcony sheltered in place until she was removed via L3’s aerial. E5 crew working with L3 removed victims from the adjacent balcony while and assisted a pregnant female from the 4th floor down the west stairwell while utilizing the mask of a E5 members SCBA.
On arrival Southborough E22 was assigned as the RIT company on the “C” side of the building.
Wayland E1 and Marlboro T1 was assigned to assist with ventilation on upper floors.
Following extinguishment, searches and removal of victims, all companies rotated through rehab and assisting with ventilation.
DFS rehab truck and Milford Fire Air Supply trailer were also called to the scene.
FP2 and FP3 on scene for fire origin and cause investigation.
Investigation:
INVESTIGATORS: FP3 Brian Morgan, FP2 Will Gingras (both notified by text message from Fire Alarm)….. WEATHER: 56 degrees Fahrenheit, winds south approximately 9 mph, no precipitation, no lightening reported in area….. SCENE DESIGNATION: A-Side: North side of building facing Worcester Rd… B-Side: East side of building facing Country Club Ln… C-Side: Side of building facing South … D-Side: Side of building facing West ….. FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTIFICATION: First notification was received from City Master Box 383. Additional 911 call was received for smoke in the 5th floor hallway as fire crews were arriving [noted – 5th floor not the fire floor]….. WITNESS INTERVIEWS: (by WG): Fire Lieutenant Henry Funes (Engine 1) – Stated: On arrival the fire alarm panel indicated alarms on the 4th floor. Engine 1 crew used the center stairwell to access the floor. Engine 1 crew was met by multiple residents in the stairwell reporting smoke on the 4th floor. Engine 1 crew encountered a moderate smoke condition in the lobby on the 4th floor. As Engine 1 crew was making the standpipe in the stairwell they were told by a resident there was a fire in Unit 414. Engine 1 crew advanced the hose line down the hall through the fire door and was pushed back by high heat and heavy turbulent smoke. Due to the conditions, low pressure in the hose line and the crew low on air, Engine 1 pulled back and passed off the hose line to Rescue 1. It was noted by fire crews that the apartment door to Unit 414 was found in the open position … Acting Lieutenant Mark Stefanini (Rescue 1) – Stated: On arrival Rescue 1 headed to the
4th floor and was met by the Engine 1 crew who were low on air. Rescue 1 then proceeded to take over the hand line from Engine 1 and advanced the hose line to the apartment on fire (Unit 414). Rescue 1 knocked down the bulk of the visible fire. Most of the cabinets had fallen away from the wall and were burning on the counter tops and floor. They continued extinguishment and then exited the fire floor due to being low on air… Deputy Chief
Kurt O’Rourke (C-2)- Stated: On arrival black smoke showing from the balcony on the 4th floor (North Side of building facing Worcester Rd)… Daianna Marques dos Santos D.O.B REDACTED -Stated through Interpreter Firefighter Rafael Franco (FFD): She lives in apartment 414 with her husband and two children. They have lived in this unit for two years and today were moving into a new apartment on the 6th floor. She stated they were not using anything in the kitchen today and were not cooking with the stove or microwave. She also stated nobody smokes inside the apartment only outside. She was in the lobby on the 4th floor when her husband discovered the fire. She stated they still had furniture in the lobby as they were moving their belongings to the 6th floor. She stated that a plug-in type air freshener was plugged into an extension cord that was plugged in behind the refrigerator, with the air freshener located on the kitchen counter top… Valessandro Franasco dos Santos D.O.B REDACTED -Stated through Interpreter Firefighter Rafael Franco (FFD): He lives in the building with his wife and two children ages 10 and 11 years old. They were spending the day moving their belongings to a new apartment on the 6th floor. He just finished up a load of laundry and walked back to get more belongings in Unit 414 when he saw smoke in the hallway. The alarms were not sounding until after he opened his door and thick black smoke came rushing out. He saw flames on top and the side of the refrigerator. There was a lot of smoke and it was hard for him to see if there was flames anywhere else. He immediately left the apartment to tell his wife and can’t remember if the door was left open or closed when he retreated. His family then left the building with the other occupants. Occupant denies the use of any other kitchen cooking appliances, candles, or smoking in the unit….. SCENE INVESTIGATIONS: On a 360 degree exterior observation of the building the only exterior fire/smoke damage was on the A-side on the 4th floor balcony of Unit 414. Balcony had smoke stains in the vicinity of the sliding glass door as well as the bedroom room window and window sill facing the A-side… The interior had smoke damage on floors 3, 4, 5, 6 concentrated in the center core of the building. Bulk of the heavy smoke damage including heat damage was in the center corridor of the 4th floor past the lobby fire door. This corridor had visible evidence of high levels of heat by a well-defined line of demarcation. Emergency exit signs at ceiling height including smoke detectors in corridor had significant heat damaged and ultimately failed due to the extreme heat. The main entry door to Unit 414 had significant fire damage on the front side indicating the door was left open creating a flow path. The first room as you enter Unit 414 is the kitchen. The upper cabinets were completely consumed by the fire and what was remaining was removed by hose streams during extinguishment. The lower cabinets were in tact but had significant charring due to drop down from the upper cabinets. The overhead microwave above the stove had fallen to the floor and had significant fire and heat damage with severe discoloration. Most of the components to the microwave were completely consumed by fire. The electric stove had much of the upper cabinet fall on top of the range and continued to burn. The control knobs and console electronics for the range were completely consumed. The top of the stove was de layered to expose the coils and top of the range. This showed discoloration most likely caused by the burning cabinets, it is unknown if the stove was on during the fire. The refrigerator had severe discoloration and warping of its outer shell. The inner layer of insulation was also damaged by heat
and fire. The wall behind the refrigerator had significant damage in the vicinity of the outlet that powers the refrigerator. The outlet had significant exterior damage and there were two plugs in the outlet at the time of the fire. One being for the refrigerator. The upper portion of the refrigerator power cord’s protective jacket was completely consumed. The protective jacket was fully intact where it meets the refrigerator. The second plug in
the outlet was for a 3-foot 16/2-gauge extension cord. The cords protective jacket was completely consumed by fire and there was only approximately 5 inches of the conductor at the wall plug end. The remaining portion of this power cord was located on the counter top melted to the remnants of a kitchen utensil tray. In this vicinity of the counter were remnants of a cell phone. Cell phone battery appeared to be intact. The dishwasher had heat damage causing discoloration with melting of its inner plastic. The metallic remnants of what appeared to be a cell phone and laptop/tablet computer were on the top of the refrigerator. It was noted that there were several household and personal items in Unit 414 that were destroyed by this fire…. DISCUSSION: Evidence indicates the area of origin was in the kitchen of Unit 414. Fire was reported to be above the refrigerator and on/in the cabinets based on witness interviews both from the male occupant and first suppression companies. Evidence also suggest this was a rapidly developing fire, such as that caused by a failure of electrical equipment, and that had amble oxygen through the open hallway door. It was reported that the smoke detectors in the hallway were sounding initially after discovery of the fire which activated the City Master Box for direct notification to the fire department. Due to presence of multiple electrical equipment in the area of origin that could have been powered, the principles of NFPA 921, and the evidence available, the fire cause must be identified as Undetermined. Evidence only supports that this fire is classified as an Unintentional fire… CONCLUSIONS: Area of Origin: Kitchen of Unit 414… Cause: Undetermined… MFIRS/NFIRS Classification: Unintentional….. Report by: Will Gingras 10/31/2023… Scene & Report reviewed by: Dana Haagensen 11/8/2023.