At approximately 2300 hours on Saturday Aug 9, 2003, Saint John Fire Department's apparatus were dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Main Street in the city's north end. Also dispatched were E5, E8, L5, R3, and Car 3.
Upon arrival E5's crew found a 3 story wooden structure with heavy smoke and flame showing from the building. As E5's crew established attack lines, District Chief Car 3 , setup a command post and directed incoming apparatus.
As fire quickly spread through the building a second alarm was sounded and E1 and L1 were dispatched to the scene to assist.
Two water towers were setup, one in front of the building (L5) and one on the side of the building (L1).
An additional, a third alarm was sounded at approximately 0300 hours on August 10, 2003 for E6 and E4. Their crews relieved the already exhausted crews that had been battling the blaze for 4 hours.
Crews had to contend with adjacent buildings, which were only separated by an alley way of 4 feet in width. However, they managed to contain the fire to the one structure. The structure was heavily damaged.
