It took one of the largest deployments in recent memory to control a massive blaze that engulfed hundreds of junk cars in a Tiverton junkyard early Wednesday morning.
Fire fighters from more …
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It took one of the largest deployments in recent memory to control a massive blaze that engulfed hundreds of junk cars in a Tiverton junkyard early Wednesday morning.
Fire fighters from more than a dozen Rhode Island and Massachusetts departments responded to General Auto Recycling at 384 King Road in Tiverton at 2:30 a.m. They found an area of cars estimated at 100 by 150 feet engulfed in flames, and access issues that made it difficult to get to all involved areas.
Though no one was injured, the fire was also hard to control as the area is not served by hydrants
Given the lack of hydrants, Tiverton Fire Chief William Bailey said the department called for a mutual aid tanker task force response from surrounding towns, as well as rural towns nearby that have tanker trucks. While Fall River fire fighters managed the Tiverton station, others from Portsmouth, Middletown, Jamestown, Warren, Little Compton, Westport, Dartmouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Freetown, Berkley and Lakeville sent tankers, and fire fighters set up six ‘drop tanks’ to unload water from two nearby draw points: A hydrant on Brayton Road and a small pond adjacent to the junkyard.
“Getting that established was crucial for extinguishing the fire,” Chief Bailey said. “We were able to keep a constant flow going.”
Still, the fire consumed hundreds of cars throughout the early morning hours, the chief said. Fortunately, he said, all the cars in the area that burned had had their fuel tanks removed previously.
Bailey said crews remained on scene for hours, and he said he was thankful that there were no injuries. He was also happy, and thankful, for the area turnout.
“We had a great response” from local and regional departments, he said. “All of the fire fighters did a great job.”