News Flash

The Bartlett Fire Protection District responded to the activation alarm within four minutes with their usual complement of one engine, one truck, one ambulance, and one battalion chief, but it soon became clear this would not be a usual fire. Chief William Gabrenya recounts the incident vividly, “When we arrived, the employees who had evacuated said that boxes were on fire inside. Our battalion chief immediately upgraded to a structure fire response, and additional resources were dispatched — three engines, three trucks, three ambulances, and additional command staff. We put our preplan for that property in motion. The first engine prepared to make an entry on side A with the second due engine assigned to support the sprinkler system. The first due engine entered the A side and encountered heavy smoke. They got 600 feet into the building but couldn’t find the seat of the fire. Visibility was low, and sprinklers were operating. It quickly became apparent this was going to be a major incident. We upgraded to a Mutual Aid Box Alarm to bring in additional resources.” Click on additional info!