9/11 early fire for Ladder co. 72 of Snohomish County

At around 02:30 on the morning of September 11th(343), Snohomish County toned out a Residential Fire for District #7 in the Maltby area on 83rd Avenue.

Engine co. 73 was the first to arrive and reported a 25' x 50' detached shop facility that was fully involved. They stretched a 2.5" and started flowing with the residential exposure adjacent to the structure as the top priority. Ladder co. 72 arrived and assisted by stretching a second line positioned between the structures. Battalion 71 arrived and established "83rd Command". Water Supply was a large challenge in this area and delayed complete and final extinguishment, until the later arrival of Tender 31. Engine co. 71 assisted with getting a water supply and stretching another line to the fire attack. Several small pressure vessel explosions occurred during the Defensive operations due to the storage of welding equipment, and propane bottles in the building. Once the majority of fire knock down was accomplished, Ladder 72 members began to open the exterior walls of sheetmetal and cedar siding to expose hot spots and flair ups amoung the piles of equipment and debris. The structure eventually suffered a "V" collapse making quick overhaul impossible.

Engine 74 remained onscene for overhaul operations until 13:00 that day with the Investigator. All other companies returned in service. No civilian or firefighters occurred during this operation, and the estimated dollar loss was between $200,000. and $300,000.

Companies operating were Battalion 71, Ladder 72, Engines 71, 73, 74, Tender 31, and Medic 74.