AFD responds to multiple two-alarm fires Sunday
The Amarillo Fire Department responded to two, two-alarm fires on Sunday.
According to an AFD news release, firefighters responded to a call on a commercial structure fire at the International Paper Co., 4715 NE 24th St., at 3:20 a.m. After arriving on the scene at 3:23 a.m., units found a moderate amount of smoke coming from the ejection fan of the building.
After crews entered the structure, firefighters found that the sprinkler system had been activated and extinguished the main body of fire. Firefighters put out the remainder of the fire by dousing the exhaust fan on the ceiling, the release states.
A total of eight units and 28 firefighters were on scene to battle the flames. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
After the fire was extinguished, fire crews shut down the sprinkler system and remained on scene to get information from the plant manager.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, the release states.
Later Sunday, at 6:21 p.m., AFD responded to another two-alarm structure fire in the 3800 block of Hancock Street.
The first unit to arrive on scene found heavy fire and smoke showing between two houses at 3807 and 3809 Hancock St., the release states.
Firefighters initially pulled two attack lines to begin extinguishing the fire in the backyard, involving a shed, two cars and a fence. During that time, a downed power line was also arcing and sparking, making it difficult for crews to battle the flames, fire officials said.
Both residences were reported to have started pushing heavy brown smoke from the eaves and gables. Upon making entry into the two homes, fire crews encountered heavy fire in the attic spaces.
Due to deteriorating conditions, a second alarm was sounded, bringing in more manpower to assist with the fire and changing tactics to a "defensive" position. Both homes sustained heavy damage, fire officials said.
The house to the north was filled with contents, and the backyard was full of trash and debris, including the shells of four vehicles. This all contributed to the fire load, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the fire quickly, the release states.
The rehab unit was called to the scene so that crews could rotate in and out.
No injuries or fatalities were reported. A total of 10 units and 25 firefighters were called to the scene. The fire was extinguished at 9:15 p.m.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AFD responds to multiple two-alarm fires Sunday
