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Provincetown, Massachusetts

Whaler's Wharf Fire

10 February 1998

Photos and text by Britton W Crosby

(Posted March 14, 2002)
(Updated February 6, 2018)

(Ptown FD) (Ptown Fire Mar 2002)

For those who enjoy listening to the action
we put together a Youtube video with images
and about 40 minutes of radio traffic as all
5 Alarms were dispatched Feb 10, 1998.

LISTEN TO THE ACTION

One of the first photos taken from a hill on Bradford Street overlooking the fire.
The spire of the Universalist Church (located directly across from the Wharf) is on
the left. This view is looking east.

A closer shot from the same area shows the Provincetown ladder pipe and the Truro deckgun
streams in action on the Wharf, main body of fire.

Provincetown Ladder 192 operating from side 4 onto the fire. The Provincetown Pilgrim
Monument is lit up on the left.

Provincetown Engine 190 (left) with Truro E485, and the Provincetown Ladder 192.
Looking east down Commercial Street.
 

Provincetown Ladder 192 operating the ladder pipe on the fire.

Provincetown Engine 190 (Engine 1) was the first arriving pumper. Initially positioned directly in
front of the fire building, it had to move further up the street to operate effectively. It operated
a deckgun and several handlines for hours. Next to it, the first arriving Truro Engine 485.

Engine 190 and Truro Engine 485 operating deckguns

Provincetown Engine 190 (Engine 1) operating on Commercial Street.
Note the extensive overhead wires.

Provincetown and Wellfleet (E94) engines operating in heavy smoke conditions
on the east side of the fire on Commercial Street

The Crown & Anchor is well involved

Crews operating master streams and handlines on the three buildings.
The Whaler's Wharf is the building on the right, the 2 story Handcrafter shop (center)
and the 3 story Crown & Anchor (left). A fourth building was to the right of the
Whaler's Wharf.

The Orleans Ladder 176 operated a stream from the east side of the fire onto the Crown & Anchor.

The next morning, complete devastation. This photo taken from the back end of the roof of
the Marine Specialties store. Looking into the heart of the Wharf, the handcrafters,
and the Crown & Anchor. The Universalist spire and Pilgrim monument are in the background.

Side 1 of the fire, taken from the yard of the Universalist Church. The building on the far right
(just below the aerial Ladder) is the Marine Specialties building, which received moderate smoke
and water damage. Just right of center is the Whaler's Wharf. To the left, about where the
mater stream is flowing, is the Handcrafter's Building, which was destroyed. And the large
glow, to the left behind the tree is the Crown & Anchor Inn.

Engine 177 and Ladder 176 from Orleans operated streams on side 2/3 of the general area.
The bulk of the fire in this photo was the Crown & Anchor Inn.

Apparatus at the time

Provincetown Engine 1  (190)

Provincetown Ladder 2  (192)

Provincetown Engine 3  (193)

Provincetown Engine 4 (194)

Provincetown Engine 5 (195)

MUTUAL AID RESPONSE SUMMARY