Afternoon Fire On 8th Street Goes To 2nd Alarm

Smoke billows from 8th St. Apartment Building.  Photo by Jeff Miller

August 7, 2001.  Shortly after 4pm firefighters were dispatched to 815 8th Street for reported smoke in the building.  First arriving units encountered smoke showing from the roof.  Once on the inside, the crew from Engine 103 found fire traveling the pipe chase from the basement to the cock loft.  Crews making an interior attack were alerted to evacuate the building when it was determined that the hydrant supplying the fire was dead.  Engines from the second alarm were directed to establish another water supply.  Once the new water supply was completed, crews were returned to the interior to finish fighting the fire.  Extensive overhaul was needed to get to the majority of the fire which was in the walls.  Crews remained on the scene for about 3 hours.  The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical.