07/13/2026
July 12, 2026
1242 Hours
468 Haverhill Street
5 Alarm Structure Fire
Incident Commander: Deputy Leduc
At approximately 1240 hours, companies were clearing a fire alarm at 35 Common Street when Car 21 reported heavy smoke in the Tower Hill neighborhood. Shortly thereafter, a structure fire response was transmitted after multiple callers reported heavy smoke coming from the area of 468 Haverhill Street.
Upon arrival, Deputy Leduc struck the working fire in a large three story, Type V, six family residential building. A second and third alarm quickly followed. Engines 6 and 8, Ladder 5, and Squad 1 arrived simultaneously. As crews arrived, Ladder 5 observed an occupant hanging from a third floor window at 466 Haverhill Street, which had already become heavily involved in fire. A ground ladder was immediately thrown, and the occupant was successfully rescued.
Firefighters conducted primary searches of the involved buildings, ensuring no additional occupants were trapped, while hose lines were advanced and water was quickly put on the fire. By this point, an adjacent building at 167 Margin Street had also become involved.
Crews stretched hose lines to the second and third floors of both Haverhill Street buildings and initiated an aggressive interior attack. As conditions worsened, fourth and fifth alarms were transmitted. Firefighters continued suppression efforts until deteriorating conditions and partial structural collapse forced an emergency evacuation of the buildings. Operations transitioned to a defensive strategy utilizing master streams until conditions improved enough for crews to cautiously re enter the structures and continue suppression efforts.
Shortly after 1900 hours, the fire was placed under control. Crews remained on scene extinguishing hot spots and overhauling the buildings before companies began returning to service. All companies cleared the scene at approximately 2000 hours. One engine remained overnight to monitor the structures and extinguish any residual flare ups.
The members of Local 146 cannot properly express our gratitude to our mutual aid partners and the members of our community who stepped up to support us throughout the incident. In addition to the incredible work of REHAB FIVE, community members pushed shopping carts filled with water through the fireground to help keep firefighters hydrated. Local businesses opened their doors so first responders could use their restrooms, and Haffner's generously provided the use of their parking lot for firefighter rehabilitation and a command post.
Our thoughts remain with the 51 residents displaced by this fire. We are grateful that, despite the magnitude of this incident, no serious injuries were reported.
Mutual aid/Outside agencies that assisted our operation are as follows:
Andover Ma Firefighters Local 1658
Methuen Fire Department
Dracut Firefighters, IAFF Local 2586
North Andover Fire Department
Haverhill Fire Department Local 1011
Professional Fire Fighters of Lowell MA Local 853
Middleton Firefighters Local 3097
North Reading, MA Firefighters Local 1857
Danvers Firefighters IAFF Local 2038
Reading Firefighters Local 1640
Billerica Firefighters IAFF Local1495
Boxford Fire Department
Groveland Firefighters Association
Professional Fire Fighters of Peabody Ma Local 925
Tewksbury Firefighters Local 1647
Georgetown Firefighters Local 5299
Salisbury Firefighters Local 4694
Derry, NH Fire Department
Rehab Five
Lawrence General Hospital
Atlantic Ambulance
Lawrence Police
