Excerpts from the fire department reports describe firefighters struggling to get adequate water. The reports refer to crews from various engines, tanks and squads.

“Explosions were constantly being heard and were followed by large volumes of fire rising into the sky. (A firefighter) was operating the master stream at this time, and as the explosions began to increase in activity, he was pulled from the ladder tip and the stream was operated from the platform. The wind was blowing towards Division C and the fire appeared to be picking up in velocity towards the exposed building. The ladder was moved and lowered slightly as fire height and volume increased, beginning to get close to the ladder sections. During this time water supply was lost from E51...Water supply returned shortly, and E54 returned to pumping water to the ladder’s elevated master stream. Supply... was noticed to be extremely soft and intake pressure bordering on zero the entire time during pumping operations....E54 lost pressure two more times during these operations, and when pressure returned it appeared to be lower than previously being received. Explosion frequency was increasing and extremely turbulent, black smoke was moving toward T51. The decision was made by the Division C supervisor and personnel assigned to Division C to pull E54 and T51 back as smoke and flame were appearing to approach the units and possibly extending rapidly into the building.”— Report from Engine 54, which arrived at the fire shortly after it began.

“SQ52 crew and other Division A personnel were assigned to get water to T52. SQ52 advanced two 200’ lengths of 3”supply line from E56 to T52 and made the connections. E56 operator stated he was not getting enough water from the hydrant to supply T52. E12 was staged at another hydrant approx. 500 feet up the road from E56’s location. SQ52 disconnected the supply lines from T52 and handjacked two 300’ lengths of 3”hose from E12 to T52 and made both connections. T52 operator stated that he needed more water.” — Report from Squad 52, which was also among the first to arrive.

“T51 was able to reach the back parking lot of the business Amrep and started to set up the ladder for elevated master stream operations. T51 was being supplied by E54 and E51 from the hydrant. After setting up the ladder T51’s firefighter climbed the ladder to get a better view of the fire and to make sure the stream was getting good reach. T51 firefighter was up on the ladder for approximately 5 minutes before he was ordered back down. Soon after that E51 lost all hydrant pressure and was no longer able to adequately supply E54 and T51...While all this was happening the fire grew in intensity and multiple explosions seemed to be fueling it. Water pressure was a constant problem for the next few minutes and T51 was barely able to protect the exposures on the c-side of the structure. Division C supervisor decided at this time that we should pull back and get T51 and E54 and all crews out of harm’s way.”— Report from Truck 51, which was dispatched on the first alarm.