A large industrial type building was destroyed last night near the rear of 100 Apremont Way where the Western Mass Truss Company is located. The fire consumed the structure and caused numerous smaller fires in the immediate area. The multi-alarm blaze brought in fire apparatus from several surrounding towns. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – City firefighters responded to a 9:35 p.m. alarm yesterday for a fire at Western Massachusetts Truss Company at 100 Apremont Way and found smoke showing when they arrived.
Dep. Chief Mark Devine reports that Engine Three, based at the Southampton Road fire substation, was the first apparatus to arrive at the fire and found heavy smoke showing on the front and right sides of the building.
Engine Three, which arrived at the scene of the fire four minutes after the alarm was sounded, was soon joined by Engines Four and Five and the platform truck but shortly after the firefighters began to battle the blaze Devine called for additional assistance.
Fire trucks from both Holyoke and West Springfield were sent to the Apremont Way fire scene to help fight the fire and equipment was dispatched from Southwick and Agawam to staff the fire headquarters while city firefighters were busy with the fire.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire but left an engine and two firefighters on scene to ensure that no hot spots flared up after the rest of the firefighters returned to quarters.
The firefighters report the cause of the fire has not been determined but the investigation will continue today with assistance from state troopers assigned to the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s office.
