Saturday evening around 10:30PM, Engine 39 and Ladder 18 were dispatched to the area of West 2nd St. and Dorchester Ave., to investigate smoke in the area. Upon arrival smoke was banked down to the street and pushing out of a ventilation system that leads to the MBTA Red Line. The officer of Engine 39 "struck the box" bringing Engine 7; Engine 10; Ladder 17; Tower Ladder 3; Rescue 1; District 6; the Safety Chief and Division 1. RIT companies were Engine 21, Ladder 24 and District 3. Additional apparatus responding included the Rehab Unit and Special Unit. District 6 was the Operations Chief and Division 1 was the Incident Commander.
Upon further investigation the officers of Engine 39 and Ladder 18 found that the fire was in multiple areas around the third rail of the T, burning several thick cables. In order for the fire to be extinguished the third-rail (containing 600 volts) would have to be shut down. Generally this takes only takes a few minutes, but the MBTA had difficulty shutting down the power. When operating in the MBTA Rapid Transit System firefighters must always confirm that the power has been shut down prior to making entry.
When the MBTA stated the power had been shut down Boston Ladder companies and the Safety Chief used three third-rail testers to confirm. At this point Engine 39 charged the standpipe, and the companies in the tunnel used a combination of water and dry-chemical to extinguish the fire.
Because there was significant damage to the communications and power to the Red Line, all traffic between Andrew Station and Downtown Crossing is temporarily closed.
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