USFA LODD: New Jersey County Fire Coordinator On-Duty Death 11.19.2014

On November 18, 2014, County Fire Coordinator Arthur E. Treon, 61, responded to a working multi-family dwelling fire. While operating as fire coordinator, County Fire Coordinator Treon began experiencing chest pains and difficulty breathing and was transported by EMS to Cape Region Medical Center for a suspected heart attack.  Fire Coordinator Arthur E. Treon was admitted for possible pneumonia but subsequently passed away at approximately 2230hrs on 11/19/2014 from a nature and cause of injury still to be reported.

        

Our condolences to the Treon Family & Friends, the Cape May County of Emergency Management, and to all affected by Fire Coordinator Artur E. "Art" Treon's passing.

     

To date, 80 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

2nd Alarm Fire - Frackville Pennsylvania - 11.21.14

Flames destroyed a borough tavern and apartments Friday morning. Firefighters were called to Amberdeen's Fine Food and Beverages at 62 N. Lehigh St. around 6:45 a.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the building.  



Firefighters from Frackville, Shenandoah, Englewood, Altamont, Mahanoy City and Shenandoah battled the fire and managed to get the flames under control in about 30 minutes.



“When we arrived there was a lot of smoke pouring from the building where the fire originated,” said Goodwill Hose Company Asst. Chief Bill Lindenmuth. “Four total buildings with damage with smoke or water, one with substantial fire damage.”

The first floor of the building that was home to the bar and restaurant sustained extensive damage while apartments on the upper floor were damaged as well.

Smoke damage was possible to two adjoining buildings _ the Frackville Public Library at 56 N. Lehigh St., and the Compact Sweeper Co. at 66 N. Lehigh St.

Firefighters are still at the scene and North Lehigh Avenue, Route 924, remains closed due to hoses and fire apparatus.

Rapid Intervention Teams were at the scene from both Pottsville and Mahanoy City along with EMS units from Frackville and Shenandoah.

No firefighter were injuries as well as no civilian injured during firefighting operations.

No cause has been listed for the blaze.

Fire officials say brick fire walls prevented the spread of the fire.

A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause 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.) 

USFA LODD – Pennsylvania Fire Marshal On-Duty Death 11.20.14

On November 11, 2014 at 1230hrs, several hours after responding to a medical call, Fire Marshal Samir P. Ashmar, 51, was found in cardiac arrest at his residence. Samir P. "Sam" Ashmar was treated and transported by fellow responders to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest where he succumbed to his injury.

        

Our condolences to the Ashmar Family & Friends, the Upper Macungie Township Station 56, Inc., and to all affected by Fire Marshal Samir P. "Sam" Ashmar's passing.

     

To date, 79 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

South Glens Fall Fire; No Injuries – 11.20.14

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y.

Multiple firefighting crews were called out just before 8 a.m. on Thursday morning to the home at 32 South Spring Street. The fire was reported at about 7:45 a.m. by residents calling 911 after smelling smoke.

Firefighters were able to put the fire out quickly despite the cold.

“We’re pretty well versed as far as the cold. It hasn't gotten too cold yet, so we're working through it,” said Jonathan Pease, Assistant Fire Chief with the South Glens Falls Fire Department. “It's definitely a change of element but it didn't cause any problems here today."

South Glens Falls, West Glens Falls, Wilton, Gansevoort, Hudson Falls and Fort Edward firefighters were called to the scene, while South Queensbury was called out for standby.

No injuries were reported.

The cause 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.)

USFA LODD: New York Firefighter On-Duty Death 11.18.2014

On November 18, 2014 at 1951hrs, Firefighter James Foote, 57, upon returning inside of the station to get warm after cutting down two trees on the fire department grounds, Firefighter James Foote fell ill and collapsed. Medical assistance was provided by fellow responders and James Foote was transported to Cobleskill Hospital where he later passed away of a heart attack.

   

Our condolences to the Foote Family & Friends, the Summit Fire Department, and to all affected by Firefighter James Foote's passing.

  

To date, 78 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

2-Alarm Fire; Barton New York – 11.19.14

TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y.
Multiple crews were called out the to the structure fire at 24 Frost Hollow Road in Barton, New York just before noon at 11:20 am Wednesday.

Tioga Center Fire & Squad and Halsey Valley Fire Company responded to the fire at an old gun shop in Tioga County and there was an explosion, according to the Tioga Center Fire Department. After arriving firefighting crews on the fireground reported a fully involved structure fire, and there was an explosion which blew debris onto the road.

Additional call out for manpower was called for and a water tanker from Nichols Fire Department, along with Waverly Barton Fire Department responded.

Tioga Center First Assistant Fire Chief Art Mayer said, a man was currently living in the home, which was a former gun shop, and his father owns it.

The home was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, so the only thing they could do, First Assistant Fire Chief Mayer said, was get as much water on the home as possible.

There were no injuries at the fire scene, but the building is a total loss.

The cause of the fire 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.) 

Brooklyn, N.Y. Fire; 1 Dead, 16 Others Injured – 11.19.14

A two-alarm fire broke out in Brooklyn at 12:38 a.m. Wednesday in the three-story apartment building on Flatbush Avenue near Farragut Road in the 1400 block. 

The blaze was brought under control at 1:55 a.m.

The blaze started in the three-story apartment building over a store-front church at about 12:35 a.m., according to the FDNY.

   

   

Fire originated on the second floor and swept through the third floor. The blaze was brought under control at 1:55 a.m.

Fifteen people were injured in the blaze, including six critically. One person later died from their injuries. A man in his 20s was killed in a fire that broke out during frigid temperatures in Flatbush, Brooklyn, said police.

The fire marshal was investigating the cause of blaze Wednesday 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.)

USFA LODD: Texas Firefighter On-Duty Death 11.16.2014

Pump Operator/Paramedic Alejandro Castro, 40, on November 16,2014 at 2230hrs, was found unresponsive while on-duty inside of Brownsville Fire Station 8. Alejandro Castro had succumbed in the fire station to a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be determined.

  

  

Our condolences to the Castro Family & Friends, the Brownsville Fire Department, and to all affected by Pump Operator/Paramedic Alejandro Castro's passing.

  

To date, 77 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

Small Single-Engine Plane Crashed Into Chicago House - 11.18.14

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police say a small plane has crashed into a home on the city’s southwest side.

Police spokesman Ron Gaines says the single-engine plane crashed into the house around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday.



Gaines says the occupants of the home were not injured but he did not know about the condition of the person or people aboard the plane.

Fire officials told local news outlets they were still searching for the plane’s pilot.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Corey told the Chicago Sun-Times the small cargo plane, an Aero Commander 50, had just departed from Midway International Airport on its way to Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling when the pilot reported engine problems and tried to return to Midway. The plane crashed about a quarter-mile from its departing runway.





There was one pilot on board the plane. Firefighters have not been able to locate the pilot.

The plane crashed through the roof of the house and into the living room through to the basement.

There was no fire or explosion after the plane crashed.

Firefighters have not been able to enter most of the home because the building is unsafe.



(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.) 

USFA LODD: New York Firefighter On-Duty Death 11.15.2014

On November 15, 2014, a short time after responding to a school fire alarm Firefighter Richard Weisse, Sr., 59, suffered a medical emergency and passed away. The nature and cause of fatal injury are pending further investigation.    

Our condolences to the Weisse Family & Friends, the St. James Fire District, and to all affected by Firefighter Richard Weisse's Sr. passing.

  

To date, 76 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

USFA LODD: New Jersey Fire Lieutenant On-Duty Death 11.15.2014

On November 14, 2014, at 0305hrs.,  Lieutenant Christopher Hunter, 38, responded to his last alarm. The next day on November 15, 2014 at 0152hrs., Lieutenant Hunter suffered a cardiac arrest at home.  Christopher Hunter was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.    

Our condolences to the Hunter Family & Friends, the Cinnaminson Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant Christopher Hunter's passing.

  

To date, 75 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.) 

4-Alarm Fire In Newark, New Jersey - 11.15.14

NEWARK, N.J.  — The Newark Fire Department responded to a fire that started just before 10 p.m. at 295 Lafayette St. and quickly spread to three other houses before firefighters extinguished the blaze two hours later on Saturday evening.









Two homes were destroyed and two others were severely damaged when the multi-alarm blaze roared through the Ironbound neighborhood Saturday night.



No injuries have been reported. There is no word yet on what sparked the blaze. Crews worked for most of the night to access the damage and check for hotspots. 


A total of 33 people were forced out of their homes. Most will be staying with family and friends. “We had about 33 people in the reception center, but many were able to stay with friends or family members,” Red Cross spokeswoman Diane Kincannon said.


The cause of the fire remains 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.)

NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Report for Ammonium Nitrate Explosion at a Fertilizer Plant Fire Texas – 04.07.13

April 2013 plant blast killed nine volunteer firefighters and one off-duty firefighter
      
On April 17, 2013, ten emergency first responders (ranging in age from 26 to 52 and all male) were killed when a burning fertilizer plant containing an estimated 40 to 60 tons of ammonium nitrate exploded just outside the city limits.  The explosion occurred less than 20 minutes after the emergency responders arrived on-scene.

The victims included 5 volunteer fire fighters with the city’s volunteer fire department, and 4 volunteer fire fighters from 3 neighboring volunteer fire departments who were attending an emergency medical services (EMS) class in the city.  One off-duty career fire captain and two civilians who responded to offer assistance to the volunteer fire department were also killed by the explosion.

The victims were among a number of first responders engaged in fire suppression and support activities and were in close proximity to the burning structure when the explosion occurred.  Five other volunteer fire fighters with the city’s fire department were injured.  The two civilians were providing non-suppression support to the fire department when they were killed by the blast.  Three civilians living nearby also died as the result of the blast.

Contributing Factors

* Non-recognition of the hazards associated with ammonium nitrate

* Limited pre-incident planning of commercial facility

* Fire quickly spread to an un-controllable size

* Approximately 40-60 tons of solid ammonium nitrate unexpectedly detonated

* Responders working within blast radius at time of explosion  

* Large non-sprinklered, wood construction, commercial structure.

Key Recommendations

* Fire departments should conduct pre-incident planning inspections of buildings within their jurisdiction to facilitate development of safe fireground strategies and tactics, especially for high hazard / high risk structures and occupancies

* Fire departments should have a written risk management plan, use risk management principles at all structure fires and especially at incidents involving high risk hazards

* Fire departments should develop, implement and enforce a written Incident Management System to be followed at all emergency incident operations

* Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters wear a full array of turnout clothing and personal protective equipment appropriate for the assigned tasks

* Fire departments should ensure that fire fighters are trained to standards that meet or exceed NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.

Additionally, governing agencies (federal, state, regional, and local municipalities) should:

Consider requiring automatic sprinkler systems, performing regular fire inspections, and other types of active fire prevention methods in industrial facilities, especially those with high risk / high hazard inventory

Consider following the most current safe handling procedures for ammonium nitrate fertilizer storage and handling.

Read the entirety of the report at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face201311.html

(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.)

USFA LODD: Baltimore City Fire Department On-Duty Death 11.12.2014

On  November 12, 2014 at 0028hrs, Baltimore City Fire Department firefighters responded to a vacant row house fire. Lieutenant James Bethea, 62, the safety officer, arrived at the scene at approximately 0043hrs.. A few minutes later, the vacant row house fire was deemed to be under control and by 0330hrs, all fire department units were recalled to fire stations or other emergencies. Around 0700hrs, a fellow officer who drove by while off-duty observed that Lieutenant Bethea's fire department SUV was still at the scene. Officials returned and found Lieutenant James Bethea's body in the basement of a vacant home next door to where the fire occurred. Investigation into the incident and cause of death continues.
     

Our condolences to the Bethea Family & Friends, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and to all affected by Lieutenant James Bethea's passing.

     

To date, 74 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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 Phoenix Firefighters Burned; Structural Fire Glendale AZ - 11.12.14

GLENDALE, AZ
Phoenix and Glendale Fire Department, with about 25 firefighters, responded to a house fire at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The two-story  vacant home is located at 6024 N. 47th Ave. West near 47th Ave. & Bethany Home Road in Glendale.

Flames coming from many parts of the house sent huge clouds of smoke into the air. Firefighting crews were seen pulling siding off of the house to gain access to the interior to gain control of the fire.

On arrival, Phoenix firefighters tackled the flames with an offensive approach, meaning crews tried to combat the fire from the inside while looking for anyone who may have been in the house.

Firefighters seemed to have contained and under controlled the blaze by 5:30 p.m.. 

Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick described the fire as an intense blaze that caused items being stored in and around the structure to go up in flames.

No one was inside the house, and Burdick said it was possibly a situation where the resident had been hoarding.



Two Phoenix firefighters were rushed to Maricopa Medical Center with burns suffered while battling a house blaze on Wednesday evening in Glendale, according to fire officials. 

One of the firefighters suffered first-and second-degree burns to his legs, abdomen, arms and hands. The other firefighter suffered first-and second-degree burns to his arms and hands.

The one injured firefighter was badly burned but alert and speaking to colleagues while on the way to the Phoenix trauma hospital's burn unit, said Danny Senese, a Glendale Fire Department spokesman.

"We always approach these situations knowing that there's a certain amount of danger. It's a hazardous occupation," said Ron Hart with the Glendale Fire Department. "However, that's what the community asks of us and that we will risk our own lives to save others."

The cause of the fire is not yet known. A fire investigator remains on the scene of the vacant house which burned trying to determine the cause.

(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.) 

Roof Collapse During Home Fire; Jacksonville Florida - 11.11.14

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to reports of a house fire in the 1900 block of Phoenix Avenue about 10:30 a.m.  Tuesday morning.

It was reported that two people living in the home were able to egress out of the house  safely.

"There was heavy fire and smoke conditions," said Chief Adrian Johnson, the incident commander, "Smoke was pushed out of the building. The roof started to sag and walls were pushed out." A dozen local firefighters are safe and uninjured thanks to the quick thinking of their Fire Chief.

No one was injured due to the actions of incident commander Chief Adrian Johnson and the other district chiefs on scene, Fire Chief Martin Senterfitt said.

"This type of fire -- across the nation -- typically can be a firefighter killer," Fire Chief Martin Senterfitt said. "... Roof collapse is one of the things we fear the most."

The last firefighter left the building about 90 seconds before parts of the roof collapsed.

Firefighters were able to get the fire under control but the roof did collapse during the incident. Firefighters also had to employ defensive tactics to protect surrounding property as they could no longer go into the home and directly fight the fire.

No one was hurt in the fire or during firefighting operations.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating. 

(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.) 

Smoke Detectors Helps Family Escape; House Fire Cheektowaga New York - 11.11.14

ERIE COUNTY, N.Y.
U-Crest Fire Department firefighters were called to respond and fight  a fire at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, to a two-story house on 77 Leni Lane in Cheektowaga New York.

The fire was reported that it started in the bathroom ceiling and spread from there.

All five family members escaped from the house fire safely thanks to working smoke detectors inside the home that woke up all in time to egress the structure. The home fire is an example of another instance when smoke detectors saved lives. Working smoke detectors helped with an early warning that allowed all to leave their home safely.

Firefighters were able to put out the house fire and had the flames under control after about an hour after arriving on scene.

The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.

(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.) 

Backdraft at Worcester Fire 11.08.14

WORCESTER, Mass. - Firefighters responded to 46 Lafayette Street around 12:30 a.m. where they arrived to heavy fire condition coming from the back of the 4-story building.




7News Boston WHDH-TV

Firefighters on the fireground coming up to the third floor of the building were caught by a backdraft explosion that caused flames to be blown about 30 feet across the street. Four or five emergency responders were blown down stairs. The backdraft blew out all the top floor windows, but no one was injured and everyone made it safely out of the building.

"We saw the pop and the window just flew out and landed on top of a blue vehicle  that was outside," said Doreen Ramos, who lives across the street from where the fire took place. "You could hear the wood crackling, it was scary and you heard the glass pop, literally pop out."



As firefighters were climbing a stairway to the fourth floor, a backdraft explosion blew out windows on the upper floor, Deputy Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell stated. The backdraft explosive fire left 17 people homeless in Worcester Saturday, while firefighters escaped serious injury.

The fire was under control within the hour.

Authorities are investigating the cause 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.) 

Structural Fire; Multiple Fire Crews Respond; 2473 Gaskill Rd. in Campville Fire District 11.07.14

TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y.
Tioga County Fire Control dispatched Campville Fire Department to respond to 2473 Gaskill Rd. in the Campville New York Fire District, at 10:02 a.m. Friday morning for a fully involve garage fire.



Mutual-aid request was called for from the Owego Fire Department, and responded a fire engine to the fire scene along with it’s cascade air system. Also responding were the South Side Fire Company with two tankers, a tanker reponded from Newark Valley Fire department, and an engine company from West Corners Fire Department. Tioga County Fire Investigation responded to the fire scene also.

The fire destroyed the detached garage and all its contents which included trucks, lawnmowers and snow-blowers. Firefighting crews were able to prevent flames from reaching the nearby house.

"It did melt the siding of the home but it was a detached garage, so that was fully engulfed," said Assistant Fire Chief Diana Ford from Campville Fire Department. "We got a great knock down and saved the home, so that was our goal."

Firefighters had the structure in flames under control within an hour, and around 11:30 a.m., the fire was mostly out.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Tioga County fire investigators.


(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.) 

Structural Fire; Town of Main, New York 11.06.14

BROOM COUNTY, N.Y.
The East Maine Fire Department was dispatched to 298 Flint Rd. in the Town of Maine just after 10 a.m. Thursday morning .




Smoke and flames could be seen coming from the roof of the building when crews arrived. A second-alarm was called for the building fire in the town of Maine. Endwell Fire Department’s was requested for their FAST team to the fire scene.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office informed that the fire started on the upstairs floor of the split-level house.
    
There were no one was injured in the blaze and the fire was in a crawl space between two bathrooms and located in the attic of the two family home. 
   

East Maine, Endwell, Maine and Union Center Fire Departments responded and were on scene at the fireground for fire-fighting operations.
    
"We have fire damage in one area of the second floor in the attic, smoke damage on the second floor. There's water damage from both plumbing and fire fighting operations in the area of the bathrooms," says Brett Chellis, Broome County Fire Coordinator.
  
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Broome County fire investigators.


(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.) 

USFA LODD – Kentucky Fire Major On-Duty Death 10.30.14

Major Malcolm Jenkins, 60, on October 30, 2014 at 2100hrs,  was found deceased in his fire department vehicle after performing a mandated annual physical agility test at the fire department’s offsite medical provider’s facility. A cause of death has yet to be released.
     

Our condolences to the Jenkins Family & Friends, the Fern Creek Fire Department, and to all affected by Fire Major Malcolm Jenkins’ passing.

     

To date, 73 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page. 

(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.)