Condominium Fire on Mapleview Street Brings Second Alarm

 Lakeside, CA -

On Sunday, May 4, 2014, at 4:07 p. m., the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call from an occupant that stated there was a wall on fire in their condominium unit in the 12500 block of Mapleview Street.  The first alarm sent four structural engines, one truck company, an ALS medic unit, and a chief officer to the fire.  Enroute units were advised that a number of units were filling with smoke from a possible attic fire.

Medic 2 (River Park Station) arrived on-scene and reported smoke showing from the complex.  Unsure that the occupants had safely exited the unit, firefighters made entry and conducted a search for victims. Engine 1 (Riverview Station) soon arrived and advised the smoke conditions had worsened and fire attack lines were pulled.

Crew members don their breathing apparatus in preparation of entering the structure.

Crews soon discovered that a fire was well established in the common wall between two units and had advanced two stories to the attic space. The labor intensive task of opening up the walls and roof began.  Fire was quickly discovered on the second floor and attic.  The incident commander requested a second alarm to augment crews already engaged in chasing down the hidden fire.

The crew from Santee Truck 4 makes their way to the roof to begin operations.

With the second alarm came an additional four structural engines, one additional truck company, and an additional  chief officer. 

Truck crews were sent to the roof to conduct ventilation and roof removal operations. Fire was located in the attic area and was knocked down by crews before it could spread to other units. Simultaneously crews were searching adjoining units and conducting salvage operations as smoke and water was entering these occupancies.

Crews begin the task of salvage operations. Smoke and water are removed from the affected units.

Crews were eventually successful in extinguishing the fire after extensive interior operations.  Unfortunately, three units had been affected to the point that they could not be occupied. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the families that had been displaced. 

It was determined that the fire started during plumbing repairs that involved the use of a torch. A total of 16 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident assisted by personnel from the Santee Fire Department and Heartland Fire and Rescue.  Again this demonstrates the seamless working relationship between participants of the automatic aid agreement.

Crews received logistical support from the Lakeside Logistic Volunteers. They provided cold drinks and breathing apparatus support during this operation.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 
Additional Photography Provided By: LVG Dennis Canfield, Lakeside Fire District

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map