ALPENA — Fire department crews responded to a fire in an apartment building in the 800 block of Chisholm Wednesday afternoon. The fire, reported at 3:26 p.m., forced the evacuation of nearby businesses as crews battled heavy smoke and extreme heat.
When they arrived at the scene, firefighters said they saw a large column of smoke and found heavy smoke pouring from a window of the building, which is located next to John Boy’s Restaurant. The fire spread through a shared attic space to an adjoining building, eventually requiring structural demolition to assist with suppression.
Accord to the Alpena fire chief, crews initially attempted an aggressive interior attack. One team advanced through the rear stairwell while another laddered the adjacent building to reach upstairs apartments through windows. Both teams were forced back by thick, black smoke and high heat, preventing them from reaching the heart of the fire.
The response required significant personnel from multiple departments. The initial team consisted of nine on-duty firefighters, the training officer and the fire chief. They were later joined by 14 off-duty firefighters and four auxiliary members. The Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) Fire Department provided two personnel who served as the Rapid Intervention Team.Heavy smoke and heat challenge crews in Alpena fire