At 0306 hrs, RW911 received a 911 call for a residential structure fire at 7725 Brookdale Drive, in the New Hope Fire District. New Hope Car 3 (Captain Lee) was the first arriving unit, reporting smoke visible from several blocks away. Upon his arrival he found a fully involved garage, located at 7724 Brookdale Dr, upgrading the assignment to a working fire. Captain Lee reported the fire would be a defensive operation only, because of the amount of fire showing and the fact that the roof had already collapsed prior to his arrival. Raleigh Fire Department Engine 28 (responding as closest engine) and New Hope Engine 4 arrived next, with New Hope Engine 4’s crew stretching an attack line to knock down the fire. Crews encountered heavy fire from all sides the garage and the nearby cargo container that had been used for storage.
New Hope Car 1 arrived next and assumed command, requesting a tanker task force to respond. With New Hope Tanker 9 supplying Engine 4, crews began to knock down the bulk fire. New Hope Engine 1’s crew arrived to assist Engine 4 with fire attack, and Tanker 10 assisted with water supply. Rescue 14’s crew arrived and assisted with overhaul.
Once the fire was marked under control, units remained on scene for several hours performing extensive overhaul and assisting the Wake County Fire Marshals Office and Sheriff’s office with their investigation.
Chief McCauley and Captain Lee would like to thank all the men and women who assisted us at this fire, including crews from Rolesville Pumper 153, Wendell Engine 115, Wake Forrest Tanker 2, Wake Forrest Engine 5, Bay Leaf Tanker 258, and Wake County EMS 5.