LAWRENCE -
One of the oldest buildings in Lawrence erupted in a ball of flames early Wednesday morning. It took the strength of more than a dozen trucks and four hydrants an hour and a half to get it under control.
The building, which housed motorcycles and parts, fell in around firefighters.
"Initially they went inside and as soon as they got inside the conditions deteriorated, so command went into defensive mode and pulled the firefighters out of the building," said Chief Dino Batalis, Lawrence Fire Department.
The Lawrence Fire Department responded to the fire at 8013 E. 46th Street at around 1:00 am. That's just a block away from Lawrence Police Headquarters. They asked for help from the Buck Creek and Indianapolis Fire Departments.
Now fighting for their own safety, firefighters stayed clear of either side of the building while working to keep the fire from spreading as winds picked up.
Another issue were the phone lines draped in front of the building which were damaged by the powerful fire.
"With our communications office being one block away, for about five minutes our 911 lines had dropped out. During that time they were transferred automatically to IFD for any emergency calls," said Mark DeLong, communications chief.
No 911 service was interrupted, only transferred.
Once the fire was under control, firefighters were still concerned about cracks in the wall and the fact that it was leaning. Crews kept 46th Street closed in Lawrence until it could be determined if the building could safely stand alone or needed to be torn down.
The building is considered a total loss, with a collapsed roof.
Fewer than ten motorcycles were inside the building. Approximately 40 were outside.
Wednesday afternoon update:
46th Street will remain closed between Franklin and McCoy until cleanup is complete.
