What is a six-alarm fire? Here’s what to know after blaze at Fort Worth apartment
The Fort Worth Fire Department battled a six-alarm fire at an apartment complex Monday.
In total, there were 64 fire apparatuses and vehicles and around 170 firefighters on the scene at The Cooper apartments (1001 W Rosedale St.), the fire department said. Crews arrived at the building around 1:45 p.m. Monday and stuck around until the fire was placed under control just after 10 p.m.
Residents were evacuated from the six-story building. One non-life-threatening was reported and that person was taken to the hospital in good condition, the fire department said. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
The fie department said the sixth alarm called for the fire was “historic.” Here’s a look at the different fire alarms and what they mean.
Explaining the different fire alarms
The different fire alarm levels are based on the severity of the fire, according to Desert Fire, a California-based fire protection company. This means that the more severe a fire is, the more trucks and firefighters are needed to help.
Here’s a look at the different levels and who may be called for each one:
- One-alarm: The basic response to a fire alarm. Typically, two engines, a rescue unit, a ladder truck and at least one battalion chief respond to the fire.
- Two-alarm: More trucks and firefighters are called, along with a hazardous materials vehicle and a support vehicle, which can provide additional equipment like oxygen tanks. Up to 13 emergency vehicles could be on the scene.
- Three-alarm: This brings triple the amount of firefighters, trucks and equipment to the scene. Any alarm that goes past two is considered a “very big fire.” In addition, the department may also send out a media relations crew and a truck stocked with snacks/drinks.
- Four-alarm: Is described as a “catastrophic” fire event that happens maybe a couple times a year. Up to 21 emergency vehicles and six battalion chiefs could be on scene for this.
- Five-alarm: A rare call that could bring more than 20 fire engine companies, 11 ladder companies, a squad company, a rescue company, a supply vehicle, air support, a snack/drink truck and a hazardous materials truck. There will also be six battalion chiefs on the scene, along with a division chief, a deputy chief and a chief of operations.
For the six-alarm fire, the Fort Worth Fire Department said there were 64 fire apparatuses and vehicles, and around 170 firefighters on scene.
Mutual aid from Lake Worth and River Oaks firefighters helped on scene with fire operations as well. The Arlington Fire Department helped backfill Fort Worth stations amid the blaze, the department said.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM.
