The Beecher Fire Protection District in MABAS Division 27 responded mutual aid to an extra alarm fire last week in Lowell, Indiana. According to Beecher Fire Chief Dave Lagesse, Beecher Truck 405, a 2006 Pierce Enforcer with a 75′ aluminum ladder, flowed in excess of 640,000 gallons of water over a period of 10 hours on the scene. The fire occurred a week ago Thursday, on August 10th, at the former Rieter Automotive building, 101 W. Oakley Avenue, and according to The Northwest Indiana Times,
A construction company working inside … is believed to have accidentally sparked a spectacular fire at the abandoned plant shortly before noon Wednesday. Jimmy Harper, a project manager for BRT Indiana LLC, a recycling and sales company, said crews were moving equipment and cutting beams when an unidentified material caught fire. Harper, who was working inside the building with 11 other employees, said sprinklers in the building were shut off and crews could not control the flames with fire extinguishers.
The complete article can be found HERE. A Youtube video is HERE, and additional coverage is HERE.
Chief Lagesse submitted several dramatic images showing Truck 405 working. He was unable to tell us who the photographer was. We would like to acknowledge the photographer if someone can supply us with that information.
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_65993 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_65993.jpg)
Two elevated master streams work at the Rieter Automotive property in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6600 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6600.jpg)
A firefighter from Beecher, IL rests at the tip of Beecher Truck 405's ladder directing water on the massive fire. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6603 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6603.jpg)
Another shot showing Beecher and Lowell Fire Department aerials working. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6605 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6605.jpg)
A fire ball appears to erupt directly beneath the Beecher firefighter working the master stream, although there is quite a bit of space between them. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6625 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6625.jpg)
As the dynamics of the fire change, the firefighter redirects the master stream. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6622 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6622.jpg)
Heavy fire burns through the roof of what was the Rieter Automotive facility in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
![Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6654 Lowell Indiana 4th alarm fire 8-10-11 Rieter Automotive Beecher FD Truck 405](http://chicagoareafire.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Lowell_IN_4-11_110810_6654.jpg)
Beecher Truck 405 was flowing water for 10 hours at the scene in Lowell, Indiana. photographer unknown