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.
Two elevated master streams work at the Rieter Automotive property in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
A firefighter from Beecher, IL rests at the tip of Beecher Truck 405's ladder directing water on the massive fire. photographer unknown
Another shot showing Beecher and Lowell Fire Department aerials working. photographer unknown
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
As the dynamics of the fire change, the firefighter redirects the master stream. photographer unknown
Heavy fire burns through the roof of what was the Rieter Automotive facility in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown
Beecher Truck 405 was flowing water for 10 hours at the scene in Lowell, Indiana. photographer unknown
