The Worcester cold storage fire arose on December 3rd 1999, killing 6 firefighters. This fire; even though it was a tragedy was a blessing in disguise because it gave fire fighters a new perspective on firefighting. The cause of the fire is reported to be started by 2 homeless men who were seeking shelter in the Worcester warehouse. Its been said that the fire started from a candle tipping over that the homeless men lit, and left without reporting the fire. The fire was finally called in from an off duty firefighter and police officer 30-90 mins after the fire already began when fire crews arrived they were startled because they were unfamiliar with the layout of this structure of warehouse inside the warehouse. Firefighters got world …show more content…
Between 1630 and 1928 hours 16 apparatuses responded including:11 engines, 3 ladders, 1 rescue, and 1 aerial scope, and a total of 73 firefighters. On scene were two incident commanders (IC#1 and (IC#2) in separate cars also responded to this fire. When firefighters first arrived to the scene they were immediately order to search the warhorse for the homeless men and also a fire extension route. Shortly after Firemen 1 and 2 began rescue operations for the 2 homeless men is when things started to turn south, and is when they lost communication with firemen 1 and 2. momentarily after that they were confirmed to be missing. Panic set in and it just continued to be a downward spiral after that. After the confirmation of the 2 missing firemen, Firefighters who responded both to the first and third alarm were ordered to conduct a search and resource operations for firemen 1 and 2. Needless to say, this effort did more damage then it did good, in efforts to find firemen #1 and #2 4 more firemen became lost within the dark hell like clouds of this fire, the smoke became to much to bare, and firemen 3 and 4 became disoriented and could not find their way out of the