At 1600hrs North Reading Fire dispatched a reported house fire (Box 231) at 16 Sherman Rd, responding companies reported a large smoke plume in the area, and called a 2nd alarm on arrival as they found heavy fire from the rear of the building extended through the roof. An exterior attack was initiated and the heavy fire was knocked down a short time afterward, Middleton Ladder 1 was the first due truck company as NR Ladder 1 is out of service for maintenance. 3 Lines were run, fire appeared to me to have possibly started on the exterior and worked its way in and up, fire was contained to the rear of the house towards the B,C side of the structure. Companies operating at the fire were, NRFD C1,C2,E1,E4,R1, Lynnfield Engine 2 and Tower Ladder 1, Middleton Ladder 1, Reading Engine 2 & Wilmington Eninge 4 as well as Action ALS Medic 2 and Rehab 5. Not alot of fire to shoot as it was a quick knock, hope you enjoy.