3rd Alm, January 9, 2009, 41 Lake St

Crews were dispatched on a Box Alarm to an elderly complex in a renovated mill. En-rte they were advised police received a call reporting smoke filling the hallway. On arrival they were greeted with a heavy smoke condition. A working fire then 3rd Alm was struck along with an MCI declaration because of the amount of elderly and infirm occupants.

One handicapped occupant was rescued by a Gardner firefighter. His electric wheelchair failed in the smoke and he was physically pushed down the hallway in almost zero visibility by FF Anthony Alario. The occupant of the fire apartment was LifeFlighted to UMass Worcester.