Quincy firefighters battle Liberty Street blaze in frigid weather; hydrants frozen

QUINCY − Firefighters working under brutally cold conditions, including frozen hydrants, battled a blaze at a Liberty Street business Saturday.

Quincy Deputy Fire Chief Gary Smyth said he heard two explosions when he arrived at Quincy Collision & Frame Center on Liberty Street, and that the fire inside the auto body shop had spread to an adjoining commercial building that houses Making Your Mark Inc.

Smyth said firefighters encountered at least four frozen hydrants before they were able to establish a permanent water supply.

"Fortunately, our companies have 750 gallons of water on board to start an attack on it," Smyth said.

Crews were able to knock down the heavy flames, but Smyth said the fire had made it into an area of the commercial building that made it stubborn to completely extinguish.

Smyth said no one was inside the building when firefighters arrived and he reported no injuries among firefighters, although some did slip on the ice.

"(The department of public works has) been great with putting sand down and keeping the immediate area safe," he said.

Smyth said buses were brought to the scene so firefighters could take a break from the cold and that a warming tent had also been set up.

"To be honest, I don't think anyone has gone in the bus. These guys love to work. I can't get them to stop," Smyth said. "They'll have a quick cup of coffee or a water and just keep working."

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Smyth said the auto body shop was closed when the fire started.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy firefighters battle Liberty Street blaze in frigid weather