During the evening hours of November 12th, 2005 Marblehead firefighters responded to a structure fire at the new development under construction on Intrepid Circle, The fire is believed to have started in the basement and quickly traveled up a shaft where a staircase was due to be built. The fire quickly involved all 4 floors of the building, and with that Fire crews quickly went into defensive operations utilizing 3 ladder pipes, deck guns and numerous handlines. Initial response was Marblehead Engines 1 and 2 and Ladder 1. The 2nd and 3rd alarms brought Lynn Engines 1 and 5, Lynn Ladder 1, Swampscott Engine 21 and Ladder 21, Nahant Engine 31 and Peabody Engine 3. Salem Ladder 1 and Beverly Engine 1 covered Marblehead HQ. Eventually in the early A.M. hours, section by section the entire building collapsed into itself. The fire was later ruled arson and the state fire marshall's office is offering a $5,000 reward and the developer who owns the property is offing a reward as well.

Conditions begin to deteriorate on the "D" side of the building.

Marblehead Ladder 1's ladder pipe along with a handline attempt to darken down the heavy fire burning on the fourth floor.

Nahant Engine 31 a 2004 HME Silver Fox 1500/750 pumping from a hydrant on a nearby street.

Portions of the roof and exterior wall begin to collapse.

Swampscott Ladder 21 lowers it's ladder so it can relocate to the "D" side of the building.

With both the Swampscott and Marblehead aerial master steams shut down, as they relocate their apparatus, the fire rages consuming the whole 4th floor.

Peabody Engine 3, a 1989 Mack MC/Pierce 1250/500 picks up a hydrant 2 blocks away from the fire to supply additional lines.

Return to North Shore Fire Apparatus and Fireground Photos Homepage