This morning just before 0930 the tones were struck for the first alarm truck assignment into Middlesex Station 16's first due for a commercial structure fire. Fire was reported to be coming from the gutter/roof area of one of the buildings at the old Ibis Tek facility, now XPER.

Chief 16 and D/C 42 arrived simultaneously at 0936 to find the fire as reported on the exterior roof line with moderate smoke from the building and roof. Chief 16 assumed the command and additional alarms were struck for manpower and resources.

Tower 42 arrived at 0938 with the assignment as first due truck. Crews split to inside/outside, entering for search and utility control, and deploying ladders and setting up aerial operations.

Tanker 16 arrived shortly thereafter with the assignment as first due engine. D/C 42 readied and crewed with Tanker 16, deploying an 1 3/4" attack line. The exterior fire was extinguished and entry made through the open garage door. The line advanced through the building extinguishing small visible fires. Efforts were then focused on the obvious fire still in the ceiling, although efforts were made difficult by it's height of 16-20 feet in different areas throughout. Nozzle pressure was used to break through the drywall ceiling and extinguish the fire. Tower 42 inside truck was assigned ladders to the interior for overhaul and access for extinguishment while outside truck, along with rescue Squad 42, accessed and opened the roof for ventilation and investigation, revealing a double roof with more fire between roofs. Extensive roof opening was assigned as more units began to arrive to overcome the double roof and false/double ceiling impediments. Overhaul of the walls also revealed extension and impingement, with double wall spaces found between the additions made to the weld shop and shipping/storage areas, with the old sheet metal siding in the middle of added framing, also making the pockets of fire hard to access.

Though the structural impediments presented some minor difficulties in chasing the different areas of fire and hot spots, crews were able to isolate and minimize the fire damage to a relatively contained area of the Bravo side of the large commercial building; even with the negative temperatures, initial low manpower, and wind shifts that could have easily had the fire run the open and double roofs.

Units operated on scene for approximately four hours.