On Wednesday July 16 1997, at approximately 4:15am, the Monroe Fire Dept. was dispatched to a reported structure fire at Bowl-o-Fun on Rt. 17. The Bowling Alley was a large wood bowtruss construction building built in the early 60's. The alley consisted of about 20 lanes, a pro shop, a bar, locker room, and an arcade. First arriving Chiefs encountered heavy smoke pouring out of the building and heavy fire in the large voidspace between the ceiling and bowtruss roof. Within seconds of Tower Ladder 538 arriving on scene fire began to break through the roof. It was at this time command ordered an exterior attack due to the large amount of fire and structural instability. In consideration of the fire load, which would overwhelm hydrants initial units were hooked to, command requested a 2nd and 3rd alarm tanker assignment to the scene (one tanker each from Harriman, Lakeside, Woodbury, Salisbury Mills, Washingtonville, and 2 from Chester). In addition to the tanker operations, command ordered an incoming Lakeside Engine to draft from a nearby lake. Command then requested a 2nd and 3rd alarm Truck assignment to the scene (one Truck each from Woodbury, Chester and South Blooming Grove) to provide large caliber master streams. With fire consuming the building extemely fast and producing an incredible amount of heat, Monroe units were repositioned and a second Lakeside engine was rerouted to protect several nearby houses. A tanker shuttle was then set up with Harriman and Woodbury engines drafting out of portable ponds and supplying the 4 Aerials. The aerial operation lasted for approximately 3 hours until the fire was knocked down and under control. Monroe units remained on scene for aproximately 15 hours and were assisted at the scene by Monroe Ambulance, Monroe PD, Orange County Fire Investigators/Coordinators, Orange County Sheriffs Dept., and the Red Cross. Mutual Aid standby's were requested from Tuxedo (1 Ladder), Mountainville (1 Engine), and Salisbury Mills (1 Engine) for Monroe's District. The cause of the fire was determined to be faulty wiring in the voidspace of the cockloft.

	Conditions in the bucket of the Tower become untenable due to the radiant heat.
	Truck 538's crew works quickly to relocate the apparatus as fire races accross the roof.
	Fire has now taken control of the whole roof and the entire building.
	In this picture approximately 50% of the roof is involved as E536 waits for water to charge it's deck gun.
	This picture was taken 2 minutes later. Fire has now consumed 100% of the roof.
	Both Truck 538 and Engine 536 are now moved away from the heat.
	Front view shows the building fully involved as tankers position at the drop site.
	Aerial master streams continue to overhaul the building.
	5" supply lines can be seen as Harrimans Engine (left) pumps out of a portable pond.
	Firefighters continue to overhaul the burned out building. Note the severely burned trees in the rear of the structure.
	538 continues to operate outside the collapse zone.
	An aerial view of the exposure 4 side of the building from Chester's Ladder truck.