Just before 11:30 Thursday morning, Engine 4 went to investigate a transformer fire at Linden and Poplar Streets. When Engine 4 arrived they found a transformer burning on Poplar Street next to the church and notified the utility company. Captain Kutz (4A) further investigated and found a smoke condition in the church’s education center and had the box filled out.
Box 2219 was transmitted for 11th and Linden Streets for the address of 1109 Linden Street at the Islamic Education Center on the building fire. Sending the balance of the box was Engines 9, 10, 6, Truck 2 and Battalion 43 (Atiyeh). Engine 4 stretched a hand line to the rear of the building to a door that leads to the basement. When they gained access to the basement members found heavy fire and called for an additional hand line.
Members in the basement also requested a hand line to the first floor as the fire was extending. A dry line was stretched to front door for the first floor and waited for more members from the second alarm. The second alarm was transmitted bringing in Engine 13, 14, Air 1, Cars 40, 45, 46, 47 and 48.
As members quickly became exhausted from battling the heat from the basement fire and the hot, humid weather, the 3rd alarm was transmitted bringing in the last piece of apparatus, Engine 11.
As crews rotated, they eventually hit the seat of the fire and doused hot spots and stopped the extension of fire in the large building.
Volunteer companies from the surrounding communities were brought in to the empty firehouses to cover for the city.
