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Jackson answered his cell phone to hear, “This is Shane. Fire is spreading throughout the building.” The line went dead.
Jackson woke everyone up and ran for the truck. His calls to the company were followed immediately by the tones. “Station 3, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, we have a report of a fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Fire is visible. All available units, please respond immediately. Repeat, fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club; fire is visible through the roof. All available units, please respond immediately.”
Jackson picked up the radio. “Dispatch, this is Station 3, en route to the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. ETA three minutes.” He could hear the rest of the battalion cue up to respond.
“Copy that, Station 3. Be advised, Lieutenant Shane reports fire is visible at the location. Proceed with caution.”
“Dispatch, this is Rescue 3, we're also responding to the fire at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. ETA three minutes.”
“Dispatch, this is Battalion Chief Blocker. I'm on scene at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Fire is spreading rapidly; requesting additional units immediately.”
Jackson frowned listening to the dispatcher. This was going bad fast. “Copy that, Battalion Chief Blocker. Additional units are en route. Do you require any specialized equipment or support?”
“Roger, dispatch. All available ladder trucks. We need an exterior assault. We need all hands on deck to contain this fire. Advise all incoming units to approach from the south side with caution and be prepared for rapid spread. We have people trapped.”
Another voice filled the airwaves. “Dispatch, this is Unit 576, Lieutenant Shane, on scene. Report flames extending through the exits on side B and C, extending to parked cars. Multiple patrons and staff unable to exit.”
“This is Chief Lamply on scene. Request mutual aid from Waverly County, Sugarland County, Waverly Cove and Spring Hill,” Fred Lamply went over the airwaves.
“Copy that, Chief. All units be advised, approach the scene with caution and prepare for rapid spread of the fire. Safety first, everyone. Stay safe out there.”
Jackson shuddered as he went over the radio, “Unit 576, this is Station 3 Captain; switch to Channel 8.”
“Roger, Station 3 Captain,” Luke’s breathless voice came over. “Cap, it’s bad. Sprinklers are off. Lots of trapped customers. Come in on side B for access.”
The radio crackled with urgency as firefighters rushed to the scene from all directions, their sole focus on containing the blaze and preventing loss of life at the Waverly Junction Consumer Club and surrounding areas.
The engine chauffeur looked out the windshield. “Cap, holy shit.”
Jackson gulped as the engine arrived, his jaw grinding at the sheer scale of the inferno engulfing the consumer club. Flames licked the sky, billowing thick smoke into the air and casting an eerie glow over the area. The fire was even bigger than he had thought.
Jackson watched in disbelief as the fire raged uncontrollably, consuming the entire building. The intensity of the blaze was enormous. Luke and Monica joined the engine. “Milk’s gonna go bad,” Monica said, trying to lower the tension.
Coordinating efforts to get water supply on the periphery, Jackson strategized with his squad, formulating the safest and quickest route into the building for the order he knew was coming.
Chief Fred Lamply went over the radio, “Engine 3 Captain, lead a FAST team inside from side B for attempted rescue.”
Jackson acknowledged and adjusted his Scott Pak. He and his squad cautiously made entry into the burning structure, navigating through the billowing smoke and intense heat.
The warehouse was a maze. The thick smoke obscured visibility, flames licking at the pallets holding the club’s merchandise, the air thick with heat. Jackson's instincts kicked in as he directed the company.
* * *
Olivia stood at the path into Parkside Woods, meeting the Waverly County police sergeant and the fire lieutenant who had summoned her to the scene. He offered a tired apology for bringing her out so late at night, but his sense of unease was palpable. He explained that a scout troop on an overnight had discovered the fire and extinguished it, prompting his suspicions.
As they made their way into the scene, Olivia listened intently to the lieutenant's explanation. She scanned the area, taking in the familiar sights of charred earth and smoldering embers. Everything appeared to be routine, a campfire that was poorly extinguished, until the lieutenant pointed out a series of burn spots that caught his attention.
“These burn patterns,” he began, gesturing toward the ground, “they're different. They burned much hotter than your typical campfire. With all the arson cases in Waverly Junction, I thought you might want to see it.”
“No worries, Lieutenant. I’d rather be called out for nothing than miss something.” Olivia put her kit down.
Her mind raced as she examined the burn spots. Could this be where the arsonist experimented with different techniques? It seemed plausible, given the similarities to the other fires she had investigated.
“You've got good instincts, Lieutenant,” Olivia remarked, impressed by his observation. She wasted no time in opening her forensic kit and getting to work, photographing the scene and carefully collecting samples for analysis.
As she worked, Olivia found herself engaging in banter with the Waverly County fire team, their camaraderie providing a brief respite from the seriousness of the situation. She missed Jackson. Their conversation was abruptly cut short as the sky suddenly exploded in a blaze of orange.
Olivia's heart sank as she realized the source of the inferno. It had to be the Waverly Junction Consumer Club. Without hesitation, she quickly packed up her equipment and joined the Waverly County engine as they raced toward the scene of the fire.
