WFD Press Release

07/15/07
Waltham Fire Department Battles 4-Alarm Fire at 470 Main Street
Fire Destroys Two Businesses - 5 Firefighters Injured

Waltham, Mass. - The Waltham Fire Department battled a 4-alarm fire at 470 Main Street on Sunday morning that destroyed two businesses and injured five firefighters. Waltham Fire received the initial fire alarm at 5:33 am and the response quickly grew to four alarms as part of the first floor collapsed causing two firefighters to fall into the basement, which was involved with fire. Firefighters on scene quickly rescued the two firefighters and pulled them to safety. Those two firefighters and one of the rescuers were treated for minor injuries and released from Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Two other firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the fire. No civilians were in the building or hurt during the fire..

Firefighters had the majority of fire knocked down and under control by noon on Sunday. However, the fire had gutted the commercial structure at 470 Main Street, which contained two businesses, Sal's Restaurant and the California Convenience Store. Waltham Fire Chief Richard Cardillo estimates the damage at $2.5 million. Waltham Fire Department investigators are working with the State Fire Marshal's Office and the ATF to determine the cause of the fire. At this time, it appears the fire may have started in the basement near the area of where the 1st floor had collapsed sending firefighters into the basement.

All 10 of Waltham's firefighting companies responded to the fire. Eight other fire companies from six surrounding communities also responded to the scene. An additional five fire companies from four other communities responded to cover the city of Waltham during the fire at 470 Main Street. Chief Cardillo thanks the communities of Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton, Somerville, Watertown, and Weston for their Mutual Aid support during this incident, both at the fire scene and covering the city of Waltham.

Summary Timeline of Fire at 470 Main Street:

• 5:33 am - 911 Center receives initial fire alarm
• 5:37 am - Arriving companies find smoke showing, box alarm filled
• 5:42 am - Deputy declares working fire
• 5:43 am - Second Alarm
• 5:55 am - Third Alarm
• 5:56 am - Structural Collapse Reported
• Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) activated and rescue initiated, remaining companies pulled from building, trapped firefighters located and pulled from building
• 5:57 am - Fourth Alarm
• Injured firefighters treated, fire companies remain on scene to complete extinguishments of fire.

• 2 Firefighters Injured during fall into basement
• 1 Firefighter injured during rescue of trapped firefighters
• 2 Firefighters minor injuries during firefighting operations

• 10 Waltham Fire Companies
  (E1, E2, E3, E4, S5, R6, E7, E8, L1, L2)
  Plus Shift commander (C2), Chief (C1), 2 Deputies (C3 and C4)
• 8 Out of Town Companies
  • Arlington
  • Cambridge
  • Lexington
  • Newton (3 companies)
  • Watertown
  • Weston

• Belmont
• Boston
• Brookline
• Cambridge
• Somerville