On Monday July 20, 2009, companies from the 5th Battalion responded to the area of John R and Watson on the report of a commercial building fire.
Car 203 reported heavy smoke in the area and requested extra companies to be dispatched on the Box Alarm assignment. E5 reported the fire in the vacant Douglas Brewster Projects at Beaubien and Division.
Companies reported numerous problems accessing the scene.
Car 203 (Senior Battalion Chief) arrived on the scene and assumed command, reporting a vacant 2 story project, 40x200 with the second floor going and fire through the roof, and ordered a 2nd Alarm.
Crews stretched numerous handlines to attack the fire, and utilized L6 for an elevated waterway.
Box Alarm companies E1/5/17 L20 S2 and C5, 2nd Alarm companies E9/10/23 L6/7/17 C1 and Car 203.
Companies worked for over three and a half hours to control the fire, smoke from this fire could be seen up to 10 miles away.
