FALL RIVER, MA - On Saturday, March 1st just before 3:00 P.M., firefighters responded to a still alarm at 82 Hartwell Street, a vacant school building. When command arrived from the west, he reported nothing showing, while Engine 4 responding from east notified command he had heavy smoke showing from the C side.

Command called for a second-alarm based on the report from Engine 4. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack for approximately 40 minutes when the roof began to collapse. Command called for an immediate evacuation of the fire building and to set up to go defensive. Two ladder pipes were put into operation, along with portable deck guns to surround and drown this fire. Command called for a third-alarm and mutual aid to back-fill empty stations and also began a recall of off duty personnel.

Firefighters remained on scene until the following morning when local and state investigators took over the scene to determine origin and cause.