Fire Photos

4 Alarm 1910 Elm Street

CFDHISTORY ---›Fire Photos ---› 4 Alarm 1910 Elm Street

Date 2010-01-08

A four-alarm structure fire occurred on Friday, January 8, 2010 in Over-the-Rhine. At 20:19 hours the Cincinnati Fire Tower received several telephone alarms reporting a structure fire near Findlay Market.

1 Alarm Engines: 5, 29; Trucks: 3, 21, RAT 19; Districts: 1 (Reed), 2 (Mertz); Squad 14 (Heavy Rescue) and Rescue 14 (ALS).

Initial arriving fire units had to determine which building was actually on fire, after a short time it was discovered that 1910-16 Elm Street which is a four-story brick (heavy timber) building was showing heavy fire conditions on the upper floors. Firefighters attempted an aggressive interior fire attack but were driven out of the building by heavy fire conditions.


Photograph - David Jones

A second alarm was requested and firefighters were withdrawn from the building this fire was fought “defensively” from the exterior.

20:36 Hours 2nd Alarm: Engines 3, 14, Truck 17, Rescue 2 (ALS Supervisor).

Photograph - David Jones

Due to the close proximity to three other adjacent structures one which was occupied a third alarm would be requested for additional resources to evacuate and check for fire extension into those structures.

20:56 Hours 3rd Alarm: Engines: 32, 20; Truck 23, Ambulance 3 (BLS) Car 4 Duty Chief.

Photograph - David Jones

Due to the shear square footage and volume of fire presenting after the defensive operation was underway, a fourth alarm would be requested for additional water supply to properly supply the large “master stream” fire fighting devices.

2125: Hours per Car 1 4th Alarm Engines: 19, 12, 21.

Photograph - Bill Strite, IFPA

After three hours of fire suppression the fire was official brought “under control”. Damage is extensive, no cost determination as of yet.


Photograph - Bill Strite, IFPA

The Cincinnati Fire Investigation Unit is investigating the origin and cause and it has yet to be determined.
A total of twenty fire companies were put to “work” at this incident, eighty-five firefighters were utilized at this incident.
There were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians. Fire units remained on the scene until 11:30 Hours 1-9-10.


Photograph - Bill Strite, IFPA