Two elevated master streams work at the Rieter Automotive property in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown A firefighter from Beecher, IL rests at the tip of Beecher Truck 405's ladder directing water on the massive fire. photographer unknown  Another shot showing Beecher and Lowell Fire Department aerials working. photographer unknown  A fire ball appears to erupt directly beneath the Beecher firefighter working the master stream, although there is quite a bit of space between them. photographer unknown  As the dynamics of the fire change, the firefighter redirects the master stream. photographer unknown Heavy fire burns through the roof of what was the Rieter Automotive facility in Lowell, Indiana on August 10, 2011. photographer unknown Beecher Truck 405 was flowing water for 10 hours at the scene in Lowell, Indiana. photographer unknown Vertical And Overhung Chemical Pump Vertical Submersible Chemical Process Pump Vertical Submerged Chemical Sichuan Zhongying Industrial Pump Co., Ltd , https://www.zygyb.com
Beecher works at Lowell Indiana extra alarm 8-10-11
The Beecher Fire Protection District, part of MABAS Division 27, provided mutual aid to a major fire last week in Lowell, Indiana. According to Beecher Fire Chief Dave Lagesse, Beecher Truck 405, a 2006 Pierce Enforcer equipped with a 75-foot aluminum ladder, pumped over 640,000 gallons of water over the course of 10 hours at the scene. The incident took place on August 10th, a week ago Thursday, at the former Rieter Automotive building located at 101 W. Oakley Avenue.
According to a report from *The Northwest Indiana Times*, the fire was sparked accidentally by a construction company working inside the abandoned facility. Jimmy Harper, a project manager for BRT Indiana LLC, explained that crews were moving equipment and cutting beams when an unknown material ignited. He was inside the building with 11 other employees at the time. Harper noted that the sprinkler system had been disabled, and the crew was unable to control the flames using fire extinguishers.
The full story can be read [here](#). A YouTube video of the event is available [here](#), and additional coverage can be found [here](#).
Chief Lagesse shared several powerful images capturing the intensity of the operation, including shots of Truck 405 in action. Unfortunately, he couldn't identify the photographer. If anyone recognizes the photographer, please reach out so we can properly credit them.