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A box alarm came in around 0350 this morning for a reported fire in the 500 block of Weiser Street. Dispatchers continued to take the numerous calls from neighbors reporting the fire as units were responding. Engines 11, 3, 1 and 9 safety, Ladder 1, Tower 1, Rescue 1, Medic 603 and Cars 3 and 6 were assigned to the box. As firefighters arrived on location, fire was blowing out front window of 537 Weiser Street and flames were extending on either side up and down the block of covered porches.
An attack line was pulled off Engine 11 and advanced through the front door of the fire building. A second line was taken from Engine 3 and firefighters wet down the fronts of the exposures. Car 3 ordered a second alarm which brought out Engines 5 and 13, Ladder 3, Medic 601 and Cars 1, 7 and 22.
The sound of breaking glass filled the air as crews advanced on the fires, it was followed by the eerie sound of many smoke detectors going off inside the structures.
As the flames were being attacked, additional crews searched the fire building and homes on either side. Other firefighters worked their way up and down the block banging on the doors of residences to alert the occupants. Reportedly, several youths who were sitting on the porch of a friend's home across the street, witnessed the flames break through the front window and had already attempted to warn the occupants of the exposure buildings before the fire department arrived on location.
The interior attack continued as did the search. It was then reported that the occupants of the fire building had escaped through the rear door and so did residents of some of the other dwellings. Others farther away from the fire building were asked to vacate their homes while firefighter worked to control the situation.
The main fire was blackened down and firefighters began working on the porch roofs. One by one the roofs were opened up so firefighters could get to the hidden fires. Holes were cut from above and pike poles were used from the the porches to rip down the exposed wood slats that made up the ceiling of the porches.
A total of ten structures were involved. Of those the most seriously damaged were the ones on either side of the fire building which itself was gutted by fire and heavy heat damage was present throughout. A number of cats, pets of the three elderly occupants, perished in the fire. The only injury reported was a firefighter who was taken to the hospital for a heat related condition.
An initial investigation was begun as soon as the fire was put under control. Police investigators documented the damage to the exteriors and fire officials searched through the remains of furnishings in the living room for a possible cause. It was reported that the fire appeared to be accidental in nature.
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