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davis_square2008-09-17 02:15 am
haptotrope.livejournal.com) wrote in davis_square2008-09-17 02:15 am
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Car Fire: Highland Ave @ Conwell St.
Fire: or rather cars on fire and exploding under the lofted concrete apartment building (270 Highland Ave). About 6 firetrucks, and all manners of Somerville/Medford Responding.
Woke up at a little before 2am to smashing of windows and general mayhem, and looked out the window and saw flames reflected in the house across the street. Heard more explosions, and called 911, ran outside, and saw the cars on fire in the parking lot under the building overhang. Still more explosions as the firefighters worked to put out the fires. It looked as if some part of the building lobby may have caught fire, or it could have just been flaming debris obscured by smoke.
There were reports of someone fleeing the scene, running down Highland towards Porter St., but other observers, noted he was just watching the fire, and bolted when the car started exploding.
The fire has been put out and people are loitering around in their pajamas... Nobody seemed to be hurt - The Cataldo Ambulance crew and gurney were unused at present observation. News cameras are present -- so we'll probably see this with more details on the TV tomorrow.
Woke up at a little before 2am to smashing of windows and general mayhem, and looked out the window and saw flames reflected in the house across the street. Heard more explosions, and called 911, ran outside, and saw the cars on fire in the parking lot under the building overhang. Still more explosions as the firefighters worked to put out the fires. It looked as if some part of the building lobby may have caught fire, or it could have just been flaming debris obscured by smoke.
There were reports of someone fleeing the scene, running down Highland towards Porter St., but other observers, noted he was just watching the fire, and bolted when the car started exploding.
The fire has been put out and people are loitering around in their pajamas... Nobody seemed to be hurt - The Cataldo Ambulance crew and gurney were unused at present observation. News cameras are present -- so we'll probably see this with more details on the TV tomorrow.
Re: Did anyone else NOT notice the fire alarm?
"A building with six or more units is required to have a low voltage system (fire alarm panel) which generally consists of a series of detection and annunciation devices throughout the common areas and electrically interconnected smoke detectors within the apartments (527 CMR 24). Either the Captain or Deputy Chief accompany Monty during these inspections."
notice... WITHIN THE APTS
http://www.somervillelocal76.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Fire20Prevention2FSafety20Tips
Under Firefighter Bob "Monty" Doherty
Engineer here
Regardless, I would encourage anyone in this building (or any other) to double check witht he SFD that their building passed the last fire inspection. Moreover, older structures are often times not governed by newer codes grandfathered in).
Re: Did anyone else NOT notice the fire alarm?
The Mass State Building Code (780 CMR, Chapter 9 http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dps/BuildingCode/780009.pdf is a better resource for current requirements, though existing buildings are typically grandfathered.
Smoke detectors are required within the apartments. They are not required to set off the common building alarm. They are also local units, usually - not alarm devices for the main building fire detection system. Most buildings that have a common fire alarm system don't have horns or strobes in the apartments.