G&F Tool Fire - August 2001

On a hot August night in 2001, the Sturbridge FD responded to an automatic alarm of fire for G&F Industries in the Fiskdale section of Sturbridge.   This alarm comes in frequently, so responding units were quite suprised when they were advised that a police officer was on scene and he had smoke showing from the building, and the building was being evacuated.

What ensued was one of the largest fires that the Sturbridge FD has had to battle in its history.  The business contained a traditional tool and die shop, but also housed an plastics injection moulding occupancy.  Thick, acrid smoke at ground level hampered firefighters as well as the lack of hydrants in the area.  A water supply had to be secured from a nearby lake.  State Hazmat teams had to be called in to monitor air quality because of the possible  toxicity of the smoke.  Nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution.  Hazmat teams  also had to monitor the firefighting water runoff for the possibility of hazardous chemical going back into the lake.  Firefighters from as far away as Blackstone and Millville Massachusetts responded to the fire, with units from the City of Worcester responding to the scene and covering the empty Sturbridge Fire Station.  The firefight and extensive overhaul operation lasted for 22 hours, and some 22 central Massachusetts fire departments took part in quelling the blaze.

                            (click on any thumbnail to enlarge)

Sturbridge Ladder 1 prepares the ladder pipe, while Sturbridge Engine 2 uses it's pre-piped gun on the fire building.

Lt. John Roderick directs his son FF Matthew Roderick where to place Sturbridge Ladder 1.

FF Gordon Holstrom mans the pre-piped master stream on Engine 2 as heavy fire vents from the front of the building.

At the height of the fire, three aerial ladders and two tower ladders operated aerial master streams.

FF Alan Brackett directs FF "Howie" Moran while he sits on his "Chicago loop".

Sturbridge Ladder 1 operates it's ladder pipe.  A large volume of smoke was generated from the burning raw plastics used in the plants injection moulding operations.

Firefighters rehab as Southbridge Ladder 1 repositions their aerial.  Heavy viscous smoke emits from every window, door, and crack in the building.

Another shot of the "A" side of the building.