Texas Volunteer Firefighter On-Duty Death

Firefighter William Richard "Dick" Danes, 69, of the Brazos County Precinct 3 Volunteer Fire Department , on May 17, 2012 at 20:53 hrs., passed away from an apparent heart attack while participating in training at the TEEX Brayton Fire Training Field in College Station.

Our condolences to the  Danes Family & Friends, the Brazos County Precinct 3 Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected by Fireighter William Richard Danes's passing.
 
To date, 34 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

Statement From Precinct Three EMS Administrator David Dibello:

It is with great sorrow that I pass along that Brazos County Precinct 3 VFD has experienced a line of duty death of one of our own. William Richard "Dick" Danes, 69 years of age, passed away Thursday evening while participating in a ladder training evolution at the TEEX Fire Training Field. Although we do not know the exact cause of death, it would appear to be cardiac in nature.

Arrangements are pending through Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan.

We would like to take an opportunity to express our gratitude for the quick and professional response of all involved, including but not limited to the Precinct 3 personnel on scene, TEEX field medics, College Station Fire Department, and the College Station Medical Center staff.

As Chief Burnett stated tonight, Dick left his home tonight happily telling his wife he was eager to go to training and "make it up the ladder." She and all his family seemed very happy with what Dick was doing this evening, and expressed how very much the fire service has meant to him the last few years. It was a dream that actually started in the late 60s, but took him four more decades to get the time to accomplish.

Prior to that, he served in the Air force. He worked as an Engineer. He was a Radio Operator. He was active locally in the citizen's police and fire academies. He belonged to a church. In addition to being a brother firefighter, engineer, veteran, and servant to his fellow citizen, Dick was a Husband, Father, and Grandfather.


 




(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

 

Buffalo 2-Alarm Fire Destroys One Home & Damages Other Homes

          
The Buffalo Fire Department responded to a 2-alarm fire on Buffalo's East Side at 69 Blake Street, around  9:13 a.m Sunday morning. By the time firefighters arrived the house was fully involved.



The blaze destroyed a large vacant house and damaged three neighboring houses.

Fire investigators are looking into what started this fire. The fire, reported at 3:34 a.m., was considered suspicious and is under investigation.





(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Volunteer Firefighter hit by Sheriff's Deputy patrol car Jefferson County, New York 05.18.2012

 (YNN) JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- A firefighter from Jefferson County is recovering after he was hit at an accident scene.
Rescue crews and sheriff's deputies responded to a call of a two car accident at the intersection of Routes 411 and 37 in the Town of Theresa Friday night. Officials said Lance Willix, 67, was directing traffic when he was hit by a deputy's patrol car when the deputy tried to drive around one of the fire trucks.

He was flown to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse with leg injuries. Willix is listed in fair condition.

Sheriff John Burns said the patrol car was moving at a crawl, and that neither the driver nor the firefighter saw each other due to congestion at the scene.

Both accidents remain under investigation.

Firefighter directing traffic hit by sheriff’s patrol car - YNN, Your News Now

While directing traffic at a motor vehicle accident, a fire police officer was hit by a sheriff deputy's SUV responding to the same crash. Firefighter Lance Willix was air lifted to University Hospital in Syracuse with a broken femur.




“We were involved in traffic control and at that time, one of my fire police on scene was actually struck by a vehicle,” said Theresa Fire Chief Mark Savage.

 
Mr. Savage said he was only a few feet away from Mr. Willix, 67, Theresa, when he was hit. “I heard the impact,” Mr. Savage said. “I turned around and there he was. All I could do was try to keep him still.”

Mr. Willix was taken by helicopter to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where a nursing supervisor said he was listed in fair condition late Friday.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

FIRE VIDEO NEWS for 5.17.2012:

Portland Firefighter Falls through Roof

Video captures moment firefighter drops during ventilation.

PORTLAND (NWCN) - Ten units responded to the blaze at The Village at Multnomah Condominiums, located at 9731 SW 40th Avenue in Portland, which broke out shortly after 4 p.m. One firefighter fell through the roof while trying to fight the fire. From Sky-8, two other firefighters could be seen crawling over, peering into the hole, and then giving the “okay” signal. Fire dispatch radios also indicated the firefighter was okay.
 

Massachusetts Chief Angry Over Roof Rescue

Chief called students “idiots” over wasteful call.

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) - A Massachusetts fire chief says three college students his firefighters had to rescue from the roof of a campus building are “idiots” for wasting his department’s time and money.

Raw Video: Michigan Industrial Fire

Company manufactures sanding, buffing and polishing products.

FERNDALE, Mich., (WXYZ) - Firefighters are battling flames through the roof of a massive industrial fire in Ferndale.

New York Apartment Fire

Fire companies begin setting up for the initial attack.

Fire at Parklands of Chili Luxury Apartments is located in Churchville Chili, NY.

Portland Two-Alarm Condo Fire

Six units destroyed in Multnomah Village fire. 

 

This is a 2 alarm fire that broke out in some condos near Multnomah Village (7937 S.W. 40th Ave) in Portland, Oregon on 5/16/2012. 6 units were reportedly destroyed.

 

 (The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Pennsylvania Fire Police Captain On-Duty Death

Fire Police Captain David Wintz, 65, of the Bristol Fire Company, on May 16, 2012 at 03:30 hrs, responded to a chemical plant fire in Bucks County, Pa, which was started by a lightning strike. While directing traffic at the scene, Wintz started to feel ill and was taken home. Wintz went into cardiac arrest at home and was then taken to Aria Health's Torresdale Hospital where he passed away from an apparent heart attack. 

Our condolences to the Wintz Family, Friends, the  Bristol Fire Company, and to all affected by Fire Police Captain Wintz's passing.

To date, 33 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

At approximately 3:30am a 250,000 gallons holding tank of chemicals was hit by lightning at the Dow chemical plant in Bristol. Fire spread to a second 250,000 gallon tank and firefighters used foam to contain fire but it flared up several times. The fire went to three alarm and fire companies from NJ and PA responded to the scene. Several firefighters needed to evaluated by EMS. Fire command is reporting for residents in surrounding area should limit there exposure to the fumes by staying indoors and closing windows. A press release by the PR department at Dow chemical said the chemicals burning were ethyl acrylate and butyl acrylate, chemicals used as a coating in paint.

1 Responder Dies After Lightning-Sparked Chemical Plant Fire: MyFoxPHILLY.com

Lightning Strike Ignites Massive Fire At Bucks County Chemical Plant « CBS Philly


Firefighter dies after lightning strike sparks three-alarm blaze at Pennsylvania chemical plant

(KDFW | Fox 4) CROYDON, Pa. -- A fire officer died Wednesday morning as crews battled a three-alarm blaze at a chemical plant in Pennsylvania.

The blaze broke out at 3:35am local time in at least one fuel tank at the Dow Chemical plant in Croydon after it was hit by a lightning strike, myFOXphilly.com reported.

No injuries were initially reported, but officials at the Bristol Fire Department confirmed a member of their crew died after suffering a heart attack at the scene.

The fire spread to three alarms before crews got it under control with foam. Hazardous materials crews were also on the scene.

Dow identified the burning chemicals as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, commonly used to make paints. Authorities said there was no threat to nearby homes or businesses.

Footage at the scene showed the charred remains of two tanks. The fire appeared to have blown off the lid of one of the tanks.

A statement from Dow said, "Material that escaped the tanks is contained in surround dikes with no anticipated impact to the community. We do not anticipate any health impacts to the community."

Schools in Bristol Borough were closed because of the fire.





(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Watertown N.Y. Structral Fire, Arson Suspected 05.15.2012

 





Jefferson County, New York  911 reported around 3:13 a.m. recieving a call in the 200 block of High Street Tuesday morning for a structure fire at 239 High Street, Watertown, New York.

The Watertown Fire Department called for assistance from the Fort Drum Fire Department, and volunteer companies from town of Watertown, Northpole and Calcium were placed on standby at their stations.

City firefighting crews and neighboring volunteer departments responded with equipment, arriving on scene to a fully engulfed structral fire with the front and upper level of the building in flames.

The building contains eight apartments, four of which were occupied at the time of the fire.




The building was extensively damaged. Watertown Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Fitzgerald has stated, the building is a "total loss". He also reported stated that a witness claims to have seen someone pouring gasoline on the front porch, and that the fire's location could be an indicator that the fire was set with the intention of keeping those inside from escaping.

Watertown Fire Department Fire Dale Herman stated some people jumped out of windows to escape the blaze. Three people were taken to the Samaritan Medical Center, including one person who jumped from an upper level,  the jumper was believed to have suffered only a broken leg.



Chief Dale Herman said,  "The police department's working on a number of leads and a gas can would be something that would be collected in any course in any investigation, so we don't know if it’s directly related to this fire or not, we're still trying to piece everything together."

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but police believe it may have been intentionally set. A team of firefighters remains to keep watch over the site and investigate. It's reported that a call for an arson dog to check for signs of an accelerant has been made.
 
Watertown apartment complex destroyed by fire - YNN, Your News Now

Watertown Daily Times | Sources: Man in custody in Watertown arson fire




(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

FIRE VIDEO NEWS for 5.14.2012:

Buffalo Battles Vacant House Fires

Two homes on Goodyear Avenue destroyed.

Flames engulf two homes, roof collapses: wivb.com

BUFFALO (WIVB) - Gigantic flames lit up the night sky in Buffalo, early Monday morning. Two vacant homes near Goodyear Avenue and East Ferry went up in flames just before 2:30 a.m.

Firefighters found two vacant homes engulfed in flames that collapsed the roof of at least one of the houses and also caught a nearby garage on fire.

The roof of one of the homes collapsed not long after crews arrived.

Buffalo Fire Department Division Chief Walter Coakley said, “We had a little with water, I guess down in this area that happens, the mains are smaller. It had a good head start before we were called out so that was to be expected."

Coakley said it looks like the fire was intentionally set. “Oh yeah, it was either that or a meteor. Like I said, it was going really good when we got here.”

The homes were already scheduled to be demolished before the flames struck.

Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Mariposa Pizza Factory Fire

Fire destroys Yosemite area landmark.

Sierra Siun Times - On Friday evening, May 11, 2012 the Mariposa Pizza Factory building along with the Mariposa Arts Council, Pony Expresso and a few other businesses were lost in a fire that consumed most of the block.

Gary, IN Vacant House Fire

Pot growing operation discovered inside burning home.

Crews were dispatched to the 2500 block of Pennsylvania for a report of smoke showing from a house, on arrival Engine 4 advised of a working fire. When crews entered the house to extinguish the fire 30 or so pot plants were found growing inside. Two lines were stretched to bring the fire in the vacant house under control. It appeared that the growing lamps had started the house on fire. Nobody was injured at the fire scene and area residents ordered an extremely large amount of pizzas that night.

 

 

40 Rescued During Columbus Three-Alarm Fire

One person died in the Cambridge Apartments blaze.

COLUMBUS, Ohio NBC4i.com One person dies, 40 people are rescued and three go to local hospitals after a three-alarm fire at a North Linden apartment complex Sunday evening.

 

 

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

 

Two Buffalo, New York Fires 05.12.2012

Buffalo Firefighters responded early this morning at 0031 hrs for a report of a structure fire on Walden Ave. . Fire was showing from the rear of a two story vacant dwelling. There was reported fire on the first  floor with possible extension to the second floor and attic. It was by  further reported by firefighting crews the building structurally compromised and ordered defensive operations.




Buffalo Firefighters also responded to a fatal blaze at 2972 Bailey early this morning at 0055 hrs for a report of a structure fire on Bailey Ave.. The building is a mixed-use commercial and residential building.

The victim, John Ciszek, 59 years old, was unable to make it out lived in a rear apartment of the two-story building at 2972 Bailey,  and was pronounced dead on the scene. Mr John Ciszek's roommate Joseph Balsano said,"I heard the smoke alarm going off. That's what woke me up," then Balsano attempted to get access to the victim  but failed, escaped.

Buffalo Fire Department Division Chief Patrick Britzzalaro described "heavy fire conditions" in the first floor rear apartment where the two roommates lived.



Firefighting crews arrived with fire showing from a 1 1/2 story mixed use building and a report of a victim inside. There was reported heavy fire on the first floor of the occupied building with an exposure problem  and a requested for additional firefighting crews to the fire scene. The fire was under control in 36 minutes.





(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

3-Alarm Country Club Fire Rages in Cheltenham Twp PA 5.6.2012

Three Alarm Fire at the old Cedarbrook Country Club in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County Pa. The Building was vacant and first arriving companies found heavy fire showing.






(CBS) – Fire officials are investigating the cause of a blaze that gutted an abandoned country club in Montgomery County late Sunday night.

The fire started at about 11 p.m. at an abandoned clubhouse at an old country club on Limekiln Pike in Cheltenham Township.

According to fire officials, the two-alarm fire ripped through the clubhouse of an old country club that had occupied the site in the 1950’s.

(The Times Herald) Numerous emergency responders battled a multi-building blaze at 8400 Limekiln Pike in Cheltenham Sunday night.

According to Montgomery County sources, the fire was reported at approximately 10:21 p.m. Sunday, and burned through the roof of Wyngate Townhomes, all of which were under evacuation, a Cedarbrook Hill Country Club building, and a bridge spanning a creek on the premises.

Police closed a section of Limekiln Pike as responders battled the blaze into Monday morning.



(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

2012's Fire Prevention Week Theme...

 Fire Prevention Week for 2012 will be held October 7th - 13th, and it's theme this for this year is "Have 2 ways out!"

In 2008, home fires killed 2,755 people and injured 13,160. Two of every five home fire deaths were in a home with no smoke alarms and another one in five was in a home where the smoke alarms were not working.

The reality is that when fire strikes, your home could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few minutes. 

How to Make a Fire Safety Plan -- powered by ehow

This year's theme aims to educate how it is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds. What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or flames? That's why having two ways out is such a key part of your plan.

Having working smoke alarms can cut the chances of dying in a fire in half.

The theme will also focus on how to choose, install, and maintain smoke alarms.

NFPA has taken the lead in public fire safety outreach by serving as the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for 88 years.



The annual public awareness and safety commemoration, which is proclaimed by the President of the United States each year, is observed by fire departments in the U.S. and Canada to mark the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire that occurred on October 8th 1871.

According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

Fire Prevention Week is held every year durint the week of October 9th.

This year’s theme,“Have 2 Ways Out!”, focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.



(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)