At approximately 7:37 PM Monday, September 20, 1999, East Side fire department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at "And In My Father's House" antique and wooden furniture store.  Because of ESFD's pre-planning efforts, it was known that the structure contained large quantities of wood as well as striping and finishing supplies.

ESFD's first out engine pulled out of the station within 30 seconds of the dispatch with 3 firefighters on board and arrived at the scene approximately 5 minutes after receiving the initial call.  Upon arrival, ESFD found the structure fully involved with fire venting through the roof.  Within minutes, 2 additional engines arrived as well as support vehicles.  Through pre-arranged mutual aid agreements, personnel from surrounding departments as well as an additional engine arrived shortly after.

The fire was contained and brought under control approximately 2 hours after the initial dispatch.  East Side volunteers work into the night to completely extinguish the fire as well as salvage as much of the undamaged furniture as possible.  A very large portion of the furniture on display was saved.   Containment efforts also resulted in only minor damage to an exposure which contained cleaning supplies and a large storage of diesel fuel.

ESFD personnel totaled 17 firefighters.  These volunteers, along with personnel from Central and District 6 remained on scene for several hours.   At approximately 3 AM the fire was declared out and volunteers began to man a fire watch to monitor for any rekindles and to watch over the inventory of furniture which was removed from the showroom.

ESFD would like to thank the Central Volunteer Fire Department and District 6 Fire Department for their help with personnel and equipment.  We would also like to thank our "red shirt" volunteers with support and rehab assistance.   Though no one was injured in this incident, thanks also go out to East Baton Rouge Parish EMS for stationing a unit on scene.

Heavy fire load at the furniture facility contributed to the fire spreading quickly.

The exposure on the west side of the building was successfully protected due to early and aggressive fire containment efforts.

Here, you can see the fire venting through a window.  Note the room is fully involved in fire.

A master stream from District 6's engine aided in suppression efforts.

Another view of the western exposure.  Note the intense flames from the large quantities of wood stored in the rear of the structure.