At approximately 0045 hrs. York Village Fire was toned out to respond the SMART truck mutual aid to Biddeford to 22 Cutts St. for a 3 alarm fire. The SMART truck responded with 3 personnel including Capt. Paul Balentine, FF “Sonny” Dinsmore and Aux member Suzanne Woodworth. The SMART truck crew operated at the scene until approximately 0430 hrs serving coffee, juice, water and snack foods to weary firefighters from, Biddeford, Saco,and Scarborough.
Biddeford Firefighters were stretched thin when this fire occurred, Their usual 9 member shift was taxed with two medical calls requiring 4 members on 2 ambulances, one of the medical calls was serious enough to warrant dispatching Engine 6 with 3 more personnel leaving 2 members to cover the city. When the call for the fire was recieved these two remaining members responded with their assigned piece of fire apparatus; A ladder truck/quint, upon arrival heavy fire conditions were found and a report of missing occupants. The two firefighters were immediately overhwhelmed as the number of tasks to be completed was far more than could be completed. Extra alarms were immediately struck bringing in mutual aid. Biddeford and neighboring firefighters did a fantastic job as this fire could have easily burned down the entire block.
