On the evening of September 29, 1975, a fire was set by human design in the basement of Maynard's Restaurant in Simsbury. The first units to respond found heavy smoke on arrival. Fire attack and ventilation crews went to work trying to bring the fire under control, and mutual aid assistance was requested.

Previously known as the Rosewood when it was owned by the mother of Simsbury Captain Billy Rose, the building had several owners through the years and had been renovated numerous times. The many ceilings prevented vertical ventilation and the fire found its way into the walls which had many layers.

Attack crew were making little progress in beating back the blaze when part of the false mansard roof detached on the north side of the structure and fell near where some personnel were operating. The decision was then made to withdraw the interior attack teams. A short time later, part of the kitchen floor where a hose team had been working collapsed into the basement.

A crew accesses the roof with the help of Ladder 1's aerial.

An attack crew prepares to enter the rear of the structure.

Captain Billy Rose (L) talks with Don Griffin and Bill Derlycia.

Chief Charlie Harrington supervises the stretching of an attack line through the main entrance.

The smoke seems to be issuing from right out of the ground.

Chief Wesley Case sizes up the situation.

The main entrance the day after the fire.

Still wetting-down hotspots the next morning.

A clam-shell bucket removes the debris.

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A crew accesses the roof with the help of Ladder 1's aerial.

 

Photographs by John Ross