On the evening of December 11, 1995 at about 8:04 p.m. an explosion occurred
in the center section of the Monomac Building on the first floor. Employees reported
hearing and feeling a rumbling before flames erupted in the area of flock lines one and
two. The guards at the main guard station heard the explosion, which was quickly followed
by a water flow alarm. Responding security personnel found several injured
employees, many severely burned, being helped out of the building by co-workers.
The Methuen Fire Department dispatched a normal first alarm response of 13
personnel to the waterflow alarm:
Car 2 Deputy Chief & driver
Engine 3 3 crew members
Engine 4 3 crew members
Rescue 1 2 crew members
Ladder 1 1 crew member
Ambulance 2 2 crew members
The waterflow alarm was quickly followed by a call from the main guard station
at about 8:07 p.m., advising that an explosion had occurred and several workers were
seriously injured. This information was relayed to the responding units while they were
still en route. Methuen Fire Alarm quickly became overloaded with additional calls
reporting the fire.
When advised of this additional information, the Deputy Chief (C-2) requested
the dispatch of the two remaining Methuen companies, Engines 5 and 6, and mutual aid
from Salem and Lawrence, including companies to cover the empty Methuen stations.
Ambulance 2 notified CMED of the report of multiple burn patients and need for ALS.
The first due paramedic unit, P-2 was dispatched by CMED and advised of the report
from Ambulance 2. The paramedic in charge of this unit immediately requested the
response of 10 additional ambulances and 2 medical helicopters.
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