Hamilton Township, NJ, May 18, 2023—Hamilton Township Fire Department firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire throughout a 170-year-old former rubber factory that was made up of several interconnected buildings. A defensive operation was ordered, and several additional alarms were transmitted, calling in mutual aid. At the height of operations, eight master streams and numerous ground monitors and handlines flowed. Water was supplied from several hydrants and from four engines that drafted from a canal. It was estimated that nearly 6,000 gpm were supplied by the drafting operation. At least 12 companies operated on scene.
Photo by Michael Ratcliffe
Royal Oak, MI, Sept. 15—The Royal Oak Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire with people possibly trapped. On arrival, heavy fire was showing from the A and C sides of the structure, but occupants reported that everyone was accounted for. Engine 10 started fire attack. The fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes. At press time, the cause of the fire still was under investigation, but it appears to have started from an e-bike battery. Three engines, one ladder truck and two rescues responded to the incident.
Photo by Dennis Walus
Baltimore, Sept. 22—The main fire building was a T-shape building that was a half-block long that wrapped around two adjacent buildings. It was across the street from Baltimore City Fire Department’s John F. Steadman Memorial Fire Station, but all of the companies from the firehouse were training several blocks away in the subway system when the fire was reported. Therefore, response was delayed. The fire was in two restaurants. Ultimately, five alarms and special calls were struck. Two hundred thirty firefighters and 70 apparatus fought the blaze, which took 2½ hours to bring under control.
Photo by Howard Meile III
Lowell, MA, Sept. 12—The first-arriving engine company from the Lowell Fire Department had heavy fire showing from a 2½-story multifamily home. The fire went to six alarms, and mutual aid from numerous departments was requested. Fire spread into the attic, and members were withdrawn. A RIT was activated because of a firefighter possibly trapped in the attic, but the member was found safe. Command ordered a defensive attack. The fire was under control in about an hour-and-a-half. Four firefighters and one resident were taken to local hospitals.
Photo by Eric Fellows
Rich Dzierwa | Managing Editor, Firehouse Magazine
Rich Dzierwa joined Firehouse Magazine in 2019 after four tenures with other publications. He was editor-in-chief of Consumers Digest/ConsumersDigest.com and of trade magazine Cutting Tool Engineering. He served as the consumer products reporter for BridgeNews and began his publishing career with an 11-year tenure at Appliance magazine, where he rose to managing editor after serving in other roles. Dzierwa's experience with consumer products, including furnishings, appliances, electronics and space design, has transferred to his Firehouse work regarding the magazine's Station Design columns and the Station Design Awards. Previous work also has contributed to his supervision of several surveys of fire service/EMS members, to produce unique reporting for Firehouse's audience. Dzierwa earned a bachelor's degree in English from Columbia College Chicago.
