Christmas Morning Working Fire

Around 2:45 am on 12/25/16, the Company was dispatched for a working house fire in the area of Devon Ln. & Kirks Ln. in the first due. Chief Hoban (20-9) arrived first reporting heavy fire showing from the first floor of a large, 3 story, balloon-frame type house. Engine 20-1’s crew stretched an 1 3/4″ but were unable to make it inside due to the vacant house being under construction and not having a floor on the first floor. As crews attempted to make entry through a rear second floor window, the fire rapidly began consuming the rest of the home and extended quickly to the attic. A 2nd alarm was then struck before crews were forced to evacuate and set up a collapse zone. Master streams were placed in service due to the dwelling becoming fully involved. The fire was darkened down and placed under control in about 2 hours but crews are still on the scene this Christmas afternoon, hitting hot spots.