Raleigh firefighters spent late Wednesday night battling a stubborn “hidden” fire that had crept into the floors, walls and attic of a two-story multi-residential building on the 5000 block of Sedgewick Drive, after Ladder 15 arrived to find smoke showing from the structure. Crews reported heavy smoke and worsening interior conditions that turned a routine call into a prolonged fight. No serious injuries were reported, and two families were displaced.
Crews’ response and tactics
According to a post by the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association, Ladder 15, the first arriving ladder company, split its crew so firefighters could start both an interior fire attack and a primary search at the same time. Rescue 16, described as the true first arriving truck company, took on ventilation to clear smoke and heat. Engine 11 established the water supply as companies moved in, only to find heavy smoke and deteriorating building conditions that complicated interior operations.
Hidden pockets slowed the fight
Firefighters described the blaze as a “hidden” fire because so much of it was buried inside wall voids and attic spaces rather than in open rooms, according to WRAL. Crews used a thermal imaging camera to hunt for invisible hot spots before cutting into floors and walls to reach the flames. WRAL reported that it took about 45 minutes to bring the fire under control and that two families were displaced.
Run card and units on scene
The union’s post also shared the run card for the incident, listing multiple engines and ladder companies among the response. Units included Engines 11, 15 and 21, Ladders 15 and 22, Rescue 16 and battalion chiefs, among others. The update noted that initially reported injuries were later ruled out, and that the heavy smoke and compromised structure made the fire tough to fully chase down and extinguish.
Why hidden fires are so risky
Thermal imaging cameras allow firefighters to “see” heat through smoke and locate concealed fire hiding in void spaces, which is why crews sometimes have to tear into floors or walls even after visible flames are knocked down. As Firehouse explains, reading a thermal “profile” can be critical in deciding whether to keep pushing an offensive interior attack or pull back for firefighter safety…