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7-May 00:59
650 IVY LANE
STRUCTURE FIRE
E6,TO88,E81,E2,E58,E111,HM47,CAR80

Tower 88 was on the original dispatch for a smoke alarm sounding with Engine 6, Engine 58, and Tanker 111. While units were in route dispatch advised the caller had smoke in the house and they upgraded the call. Engine 6 arrived first due and found smoke on the first and second floors and upgraded, adding 81, Engine 2, and Engine 111.

Lt. Cosgrove, FF Norton, and FF Schlottenmeier (TO88) found active fire in a crawl space in some duct work and plastic/insulation. E81 stretched a commercial line from E6 to side charlie and TO88 crew extinguished the fire. E81 (Capt. Nickels, FF Trainum) were then called to another crawl space access on side delta and found more fire in that location. A handline was stretched from E6 and that fire was knocked down quickly. It turns out that it was some sort of an air handler unit and associated duct work that was burning in that area.

Meanwhile, personnel from E6 and E58 went to work cutting a hole in the floor on division 1 of the residence to vent the smoke from the crawl space. Units set up PPV and pushed the smoke through the hole in the floor and had another fan ventilating the house at the same time. Units pulled out for a while and conditions began to clear, however personnel from E58 along with Chief 81 (command)then discovered a small fire in another crawl space at the other end (bravo side) of the house which could be accessed from a basement door. E111's crew with E6C extinguished that fire with a water can and then overhauled with a handline. This fire was communicated via duct work spanning the underside of the house.

HM47 was on scene to fill SCBA bottles and assist with rehab. The entire crawl space was inspected to assure no other fires along any of the duct work. Units remained to complete ventilation. The initial cause is believed to be a lightening strike.