Box 2-1 for a reported rear porch fire on 28 E. Union St in the Borough at 14:04
Canton 3,4 and Western EMS all arrived to find a 2 story residential house having heavy involvement on the rear of the house with extension inside. Canton 1 requested a 2nd alarm after the on scene report by all units. Upon arrival Canton1 assumed command. 2 Truck 1 responded and took postion on the D side of the structure allowing access to the rear also. Initial attack was made onto the back porch area of the house. The first in a attack line attacked the porch and was headed into the house. I first crew men on the porch fell through the porch, which doing that created a topple affect and the porch roof fell down hitting Canton 3.
After a minute to regroup they got the firefighter that fell through out of the fire and out to safety. "there was a man down called".... As soon as it was deteremined that he was safe, I then had operations resumed to try and gain control over the fire once again. By this time the fire was into both sides of the house.
Firefighter 1 is transported by Western EMS...
Troy 1 arrived and assisted with attack command, it was aout now that we found that we actually had a basement fire with extension into the 2nd floor and attic walls. Addition attack lines are also being pulled from truck 1 to the front and another ot the rear of the house. 2Engine 2 arrived and positioned on the A side of the house and advanced 2 additional attack lines. One to the A side of the house and another to the B side to protect a structure that was only about 10 feet away. Canton 5 was on one of these attack lines and had a issue with his mask and had to hastily exit the structure to to getting to much smoke. I summoned another ambulance crew to take care of him.
Fire Fighter 2 transported.
2 Rescue 8 arrived and I postioned them also on the A/D side of the house to set up the air system to refill air paks and rehab area. A couple fire fighters were moving additional paks from Engine 2 over the the staging area when Firefighter 3 twisted her ankle and fell due to the uneven gound in that area. There is a pretty large drop off from the street to the berm.
Firefighter 3 transported..... and yes she was cranky (as all that know my wife can be
)
At the request of Troy 1 I Special requested Towanda Ladder 2 since it appeared we not stop this fire. Cantons ladder could not get good acces due to high power lines and the fire woudl not burn through the roof so we could get to it. I also requested additional air support to teh scene due to the large amount of air we was going through to battle this fire. I requested troy with 16R1 and North Towanda to respond with thiers. I aske dthe dispatcher to find rescue coverage and to use his discretion and he(Metro) did a great jo in getting coverage and did not strip any certain area.
At this point there was a call on the radio that there was a burn victim exiting the structure. I then called for additional EMS and the contiversial call for MEMORIAL EMS. (Boy did this step on toes) I did not do it to step on toes. Number one I did not see any rigs at that time on the scene, because my firepolice captan had moved them. It was Third due so protocal would have sent Memorial EMS to be dispacthed anyway. So anyone that thinks did it to step on toes is WAY WRONG. I had more important things to worry about.
In the end the burns were very minor and he was not transported to the hospital.
Towanda ladder truck arrived and that took up postion on the A side of the house and gained access to the second floor and attic region of the house.
A few other details
13 Engine 1 laid additional 5" line to supply 2 T 1
Liberty Tanker 9-5 (with LDH and 1500GPM Pump)
laid additonal 5" supply line to 2E2
16 Rescue 1 Used its complete air supply
25 Rescue 3 Used a large amount of its air supply
2 Rescue 8 used almost all of its air
9 Rescue 1 Provided Coverup for Canton/Troy area
Ralston provided Back up Engine
16E1 was on standbye to replave a Engine if it went
down.
Manpower was used from Troy,Liberty,
SouthCreek,Liberty,Monroeton,N Towanda,
Towanda,Franklindale,
Overall it was a good working fire and everything went fairl smooth other than the injuries. One thing that I/we learned was that just because they say Porch fire look around a little more and see where else the fire MAY be.
Fire was started from the dryer lint catching on fire and it actually started under the apartment next to the caller.
One other side note---2 other firefighters from Towanda and Troy was taken to the hospital later that evening.