Popular Milford, Ma Turtle Tavern destroyed by massive 4 alarm fire

Initial call around 4:40pm was for smoke coming from a wood stove in an apartment above a popular downtown tavern, which was across the street from one of their firehouses. Nothing was showing upon FD arrival but once crews got inside, they saw fire climbing the walls in the apartment above where the call originated from. A 2nd alarm was quickly called. The fire had a head start and spread throughout many voids in the building as firefighters tried to gain access and control the fast spreading flames. However, fire quickly got into the attic and forced firefighters out of the building as they were evacuating multiple tenants. As firefighters transitioned into an exterior operations, they had to protect several close exposures and subsequent 3rd and 4th alarms were called. Crews also experienced severe water problems as companies were tagging downtown hydrants and laying in from distant neighborhoods. All occupants were safely evacuated.