By 9:30 p.m. a command post was set up in the area of the main guard station
and several sectors were established to direct operations in different areas. A multiagency
command structure was set-up with representatives from the State Fire Marshal’s
office, the senior officers of several fire departments and other agencies from the cities
of Methuen and Lawrence. The strong wind was pushing the fire rapidly to the east,
through the large mill buildings toward Broadway. The progress of the flames could not
be stopped until the fire reached an open area that could be used as a fire break and
enough resources could be assembled to set-up heavy defensive streams.
French Street was identified as the strategic location to stop the progress of the
fire, as the east wall of the Main Mill Building had a setback of about 200 feet from this
street. At the south end of this block the space between the Main Mill Building and
French Street was a parking lot, while the one story New Building occupied the north
end of the block. Elevated streams were set-up to protect the homes on the east side of
French Street and try to knock down some of the embers that were sailing overhead.
As mutual aid companies arrived, relays were established from both the Lawrence
and Methuen water systems to supply master streams and drafting operations were set-up
in at least four different locations along the river. Several mutual aid companies were also
assigned to patrol the neighborhood downwind for fires started by the flying brands.
A second stand was established at the northwest corner of the Process Building
where it connected to the Acadia Mills Building. Several companies were positioned to
keep the fire from extending in this direction, supplied water from a drafting operation
600 feet to the north. Although it was severely exposed, the Acadia Mills Building suffered
relatively minor damage.
A corrugated cardboard box manufacturing plant was located directly north of the
Main Building, separated by only about 50 feet. Radiant heat and embers ignited a fire on
the roof that damaged this building and its contents, but the building was ultimately saved.
A light covering of snow on roofs and the ground extinguished many of the flying
brands and embers as they landed in the area east of the main fire. However, at
about 12:21 a.m. a fire was reported in a furniture refinishing company on Annis Street,
about 3 miles downwind in a densely built area. The equivalent of a second alarm
response was required to control this fire, which damaged several adjacent structures.
The fire was confined within 6 hours and under control approximately 12 hours
after the explosion occurred, however overhaul operations at the scene continued for
several days.
Next » Mutual Aid Response
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