This fire was originally dispatched as an alarm. The dispatch was quickly upgraded to the working bldg fire, with heavy fire in the rear of a large "L" shaped commercial bldg. The fire was then again quickly upgraded to a 2nd alarm. Companies were in svc with numerous master streams and ladder pipes. There was a partial collapse of the rear wall and partial roof, which did enable companies on the "C" side of the bldg to start hitting some of the fire. Crews re-entered the bldg to hit hot spots and at the 4 hr and 30 minute mark were still o/s fighting fire.

I included pictures of Tower-5 with the bucket tipped as a heads up for people. The Tower apparently suffered a mechanical failure of the bucket leveler with 2 men in the bucket. When the bucket suddenly dropped, the 2 men inside were tossed around inside the bucket but not injured, "because they had their belts on". Just a heads up for any that might feel too comfortable in a bucket to think they don't need to wear their ladder belts. We can't always control when accidents happen, but we can help control the outcome by using all of our safety equipment.