Gardner 4th Alm 403 Chestnut St 1-31

Gardner Police began receiving calls for a building on fire with possible people trapped at 403 Chestnut St.

Gardner Fire was notified and arrived to find a large 2 ½ story wood frame occupied with people still in the building and a severe exposure hazard. Crews evacuated residents and began to fight the fire. Temperatures were around 6 degrees, with a steady breeze.

Eventually 4 Alarms were struck with Mutual Aid coming from Westminster, Hubbardston, Winchendon, Ashburnham and Fitchburg.

Gardner Chief Dick Ares surveys the scene as crews begin to fight a fire at 403 Chestnut St. 4 Alms were transmitted.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares (left) and Capt Greg Lagoy watch as some of the first arriving firefighters move a hose line into position to protect an exposure building next to 403 Chestnut St.
1st arriving Gardner FD crews attack the front of the building during a 4th Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
1st arriving Gardner FD crews attack the front of the building during a 4th Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
1st arriving Gardner FD crews attack the front of the building during a 4th Alm fire on Chestnut St. SENTINEL&ENTERPRISE/ Jim Marabello
1st arriving Gardner FD crews attack the front of the building during a 4th Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
1st arriving Gardner FD crews attack the front of the building during a 4th Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
A Gardner FD Lieut prepares to try and make entry into a well involved first floor apartment at a 4th Alm fire.
A Gardner FF prepares to try and make entry into a well involved first floor apartment at a 4th Alm fire.
A Gardner FF prepares to try and make entry into a well involved first floor apartment at a 4th Alm fire.
A Gardner FF adjusts his facepiece prior to entering the 1st floor rear of the building on Chestnut St. SENTINEL&ENTERPRISE/ Jim Marabello
A Gardner FD Lieut prepares to try and make entry into a well involved first floor apartment at a 4th Alm fire.
A Gardner FD Lieut prepares to try and make entry into a well involved first floor apartment at a 4th Alm fire.
Gardner FD Capt Greg Lagoy watches the alley between the fire building and the exposure building during the early stages of a 4th Alm at 403 Chestnut St.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares watches initial efforts to contain a 4 Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St
Heavy smoke envelops Chestnut St in Gardner as crews begin to fight a 4th Alm fire at # 403.
Gardner FFs make entry into 407 Chestnut St to check for extension of a 4 Alm fire next door at 403 Chestnut.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares transmits a 3rd Alm for a fire at 403 Chestnut St.
A first arriving Gardner FF moves a hose line through a knee high snow bank while fighting a 4 Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St. SENTINEL&ENTERPRISE/ Jim Marabello
A Gardner FF is covered in snow and ice during a 4th Alm at 403 Chesnut St. Temperatures were around 6 degrees.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares directs operations at a 4h Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares directs operations at a 4h Alm fire at 403 Chestnut St.
Gardner Fire Chief Dick Ares surveys the scene as crews begin an attack on a house fire at 403 Chestnut St. Ares transmitted 4 Alarms.
Gardner FF Eric Hulette checks the exposure at 407 Chestnut St during a 4th Alm fire next door at # 403.