Rubbish Fire Extends Into Store, Causes Heavy Loss
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Conditions were just right—or just wrong—when fire struck a Boise, Idaho, auto supply store May 5, causing nearly a half-million-dollar loss.
When Captain Mel Reimers arrived with Engine 1 two minutes after the first alarm at 7:02 p.m., a trash pile was burning at the rear of the 50-year-old brick structure. The fire was quickly extinguished, but as a hoseman made the routine walk around the building, he reported smoke coming from the front near the roof.
A second alarm was sounded and eventually two more engine companies, a truck company and an elevating platform responded.
The trash pile behind Abbott’s Auto Supply was the first of those “just right” conditions because it was beneath an outside window. The window had been broken and cardboard was used as a temporary replacement for the glass. The wind at the time of the fire was about 35 mph.
Fire burns through roof
Several false ceilings prevented firefighters from reaching the flames before they burned through the roof. The interior of the building was laced with shelving and cardboard-type partitions, further hampering access to the fire, which had spread throughout the structure.
Tires, oil, and other petroleum products, as well as paints created a dense toxic smoke which drew hundreds of spectators and added to the problems encountered by the fire fighters.
While 16 officers and 25 fire fighters fought the fire, 25 off-duty men were called back for standby duty by Battalion Chief Bill Mosier. The callback came moments before the annual firemen’s ball was to start. Although late, many of the men eventually got to the dance at a local hotel.
Mosier set up 2 ½-inch lines at the front, rear, and west side of the building to take advantage of the strong west wind. A master stream on the platform attacked from above.
Dense smoke
Smoke on the east side of the fire was so dense the operator of a pumper a block away was forced to wear breathing apparatus for about an hour. Although almost the entire attack was made from the outside, 14 breathing apparatus and 28 extra tanks were used.
The fire burned for 3 ½ hours and it was estimated that fire fighters poured more than 100,000 gallons of water on the fire.
Fire Marshal John Boros investigated the fire and determined that smoking material tossed into the trash pile was the probable cause. The pile was in an alley and the high winds were believed to have fanned the flames started by a carelessly tossed cigarette.
Boros has since been promoted to chief of the Boise Fire Department, filling the vacancy created when Chief Dave Ferry resigned after 27 years service.
— Photos by the author
