On the morning of January 7th around 0700hrs Units were dispatched on box alarm 1-3 to 124 Willowdale drives, Brookside apartments for a reported apartment fire with multiple people trapped. First arriving, Chief 1-1 went on the scene with smoke showing from a 3 story garden apartment building and multiple people hanging out of the balconies on the 3rd floor. Tower 1 and Engine 12 with a total of 10 personal arrived and went to work. Tower 1 found people on the alpha and Charlie side trapped on the 3rd floor balcony's of there units. They began throwing ladders to assist them to safety. Engine 12 advanced a 300' apartment line to the 3rd floor and found a Charlie side apartment with heavy fire and partial ceiling collapse. Units reporting from the Charlie side of building now advised fire venting threw the roof. Engine 22 arrived and pulled a back-up line to the fire floor and both crews worked to knock the fire down. Crews from Tower 1, Truck 42, and Rescue Squad 3 worked together to rescue in all 7 occupants. Command requested a 2nd alarm to assist units on the scene. Crews held the fire to the original apartment with minor extension to the attic. Thanks to Canteen 1 members for showing up and serving breakfast. Excellent job to all of the crews on the scene with holding the fire and making the rescues.
