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WEBSTER, MA - In the early morning hours of Monday, October 20, 2008, Webster Police Dispatch began receiving multiple E-911 calls reporting an unknown type fire behind the large three-decker apartment building located a 12 Granite Street. The first call was received at 2:18 a.m. and immediately was dispatched as a first alarm due to the unknown nature of the fire, calling in all call Webster Fire and Webster Rescue Squad personnel.

First arriving Webster Police Officers reported a vehicle fully involved at the rear of the building, just feet from the structure itself. Officers Bryan Bates, Timothy Moran, James Young Jr., and Sgt. Michael Shaw entered the building in attempt to wake residents and lead them to safety. Just as residents were grabbing belongings, Sgt. Shaw became aware that the vehicle fire had now extended to the rear porches of the building and appeared to be spreading quickly. He immediately ordered his officers to have the residents drop whatever they were doing and immediately be led to safety. This decision proved critical as within five minutes of the officers arriving on scene the building was near fully involved.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert Gryncewicz was the first fire officer to arrive on scene and immediately requested a second alarm be struck, also requesting assistance to the scene from the Dudley Fire Department, Oxford Fire Department, and Southbridge Fire Department-Rapid Intervention Team. Fire Chief Gordon Forrester arrived shortly after and assumed command of the scene.

First arriving crews tackled the rapidly growing fire with inch and three quarter handlines while big lines (two and a half inch) and ladder pipes were being setup. The fire attack was a defensive operation from the initial arrival and ultimately saw 5+ handlines setup with Webster Tower One and Ladder Two providing master streams from the front and rear of the building respectively.

Crews tackled the fire from the outside for nearly two hours before bringing it under control and entering the building for overhaul.

Fire crews remained on scene into the daylight hours while the State Fire Marshal's office assisted in the investigation.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, however the building and its contents were a total loss. The American Red Cross assisted residents at the scene.

In total, five engines, two aerials, and two heavy rescues responded to the scene along with two ambulances from Webster EMS. The Douglas Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident.

A cause has not yet been determined and is being investigated by the Webster Fire Department with assistance from the Webster Police Department Fire Investigators and the State Fire Marshal's Office.