02/03/2012 - A few minutes after 2300 hours on the evening of Friday, February 03, 2012 the Taunton Fire Department received several 9-1-1 calls reporting a building fire at 137 Hart Street, the former Mozzone Lumber building. Companies arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the large 100' x 50' vacant commercial structure. A working fire was quickly ordered. As the fire raged on inside the building, companies attempting to extinguish the blaze with master streams developed water problems. As heavy fire broke through the roof of the large vacant building, a second alarm was ordered. Taunton's ladder, which was placed on the "B" side of the building protecting an exposure, needed to change position due to the high heat of the fire. As fire conditions deteriorated, and the water supply was not providing ample water to extinguish the blaze, a general alarm was ordered. A tanker task force was requested over the general alarm, due to the lack of water in the area. At the peak of the blaze, three deck guns, two ladder pipes, and assorted hand lines were put into place. The vinyl siding on the "B" exposure was melting off, as the front of the building collapsed to the ground. At least eight surrounding communities responded to the scene to assist Taunton. The fire was contained to the building of origin, which was a total loss. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown, and is currently under investigation.
