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Last Thursday, August 10th, the Beecher Fire Protection District in MABAS Division 27 responded to an intense four-alarm fire in Lowell, Indiana. According to Beecher Fire Chief Dave Lagesse, Truck 405—a 2006 Pierce Enforcer with a 75-foot aluminum ladder—pumped over 640,000 gallons of water onto the scene over a span of 10 hours. The fire broke out at the old Rieter Automotive building located at 101 W. Oakley Avenue.
As reported by The Northwest Indiana Times, the blaze was believed to have been accidentally started by a construction crew working inside the abandoned facility. Jimmy Harper, a project manager for BRT Indiana LLC, mentioned that his team was relocating equipment and cutting beams when an unidentified material caught fire. Harper, who was present with 11 other workers, noted that the sprinkler system had been turned off and that they were unable to contain the flames using fire extinguishers.
The entire story can be read HERE. There’s also a YouTube video HERE, and additional coverage HERE.
Chief Lagesse shared some striking photos taken during the operation, but unfortunately, he couldn’t identify the photographer. If anyone knows who took these dramatic images, we’d appreciate it if you could let us know so we can give proper credit.
Attached are several pictures showcasing Truck 405 in action. While the photographer remains anonymous, these images capture the immense effort put forth by the firefighters to bring this massive fire under control. Despite the chaos, firefighters remained focused, redirecting water streams as needed to combat the changing dynamics of the fire.
One particularly powerful image shows a Beecher firefighter resting at the tip of Truck 405’s ladder, directing water onto the burning structure. Another photo highlights the collaboration between Beecher and Lowell Fire Departments, as their aerial units worked side by side to tackle the inferno. In yet another shot, a fireball seems to erupt directly below a firefighter operating the master stream, though there was still significant distance between them.
These photos vividly depict the intensity of the situation, with heavy smoke billowing through the air and flames consuming the Rieter Automotive facility. Truck 405 played a crucial role throughout the 10-hour firefighting operation, pumping thousands of gallons of water to help suppress the flames.
If you have any leads on identifying the photographer, please reach out. Their contribution deserves recognition, as it helps document such critical moments in firefighting history.
June 17, 2025