Southbridge FD with the help from nearby towns battles this 3 alarm fire. The wood frame ballon constructed building was 3 story in the front and 5 stories in the rear. The building was about 100 years old typical of New England "3 deckers" Crews made an aggressive interior attack along with swift roof ventilation. The fire was brought under control in about an hour.
7th Battalion firefighters arrived at a "Party store" that had a well involved attic area. The occupied commercial building was initially an interior attack. The chief withdrew the troops prior to a catastrophic collapse of the entire attic space. Two extra engines were needed to supply additional water and protect the exposures.