Firefighters make entry through the wall of a pallet factory that burned Sunday in Massachusetts. - Photo Courtesy of Westfield Fire Department Local 1111

Firefighters make entry through the wall of a pallet factory that burned Sunday in Massachusetts.

Photo Courtesy of Westfield Fire Department Local 1111

What was initially reported Sunday afternoon as a burning shed at a lumber yard in Westfield, Massachusetts, turned out to be a pallet factory, WFD Local 1111 reports via Facebook.

At 2:30 p.m. Westfield Fire Department arrived to find flames spreading rapidly due to strong winds. Explosion heard inside were caused by propane tanks used to fuel the factory’s forklifts, Deputy Chief Ben Warren told The Westfield News.

Firefighters laid 2,300 feet of large diameter hose from the nearest hydrant to the fire using two pumpers to boost the pressure and relay the water. That provided 1,000 gallons per minute to fight the fire.

Responders were also able to protect surrounding lumber yard structures to keep the fire away from other buildings.

The fire took nearly five hours to extinguish.

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