Fatal Fire: Buffalo N.Y., 2280 Genesee St. - 03.07.2014

BUFFALO, N.Y.  (The Buffalo News) — The owner of an East Side auto repair shop was killed this afternoon when an explosion ripped through his garage bay.

Firefighters and police were on the scene of the fire at Steve’s Auto Service, 2280 Genesee St., at East End Avenue.

A worker said the owner and he were working on a fuel pump of a car when the phone rang. The worker left the garage to answer the phone. He then heard the owner yell: “Fire!”

The garage then burst into flames. The worker apparently could not get back into the shop because of the ferocity of the fire.

Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and managed to drag the owner, Stephen J. Pawlowski, 56, of the Town of Tonawanda out of the burning garage.

Witnesses said they put him in a snow bank to douse the flames. He was rushed to a hospital by ambulance.

A worker from the garage also was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield says firefighters responded to Steve’s Auto Service at 2280 Genesee St. near East End just after 1 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, Whitfield says they found heavy fire conditions and two victims outside the building.

"One of them in particular had severe burns to him. He was assisted by other pedestrians and civilians. He has since been pronounced deceased at ECMC hospital," Whitfield says.

Fire Commissioner Whitfield says the cause of the incident is under investigation. He says there are reports of several explosions at the scene, reports the fire master is working to verify.

(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.)

Cheektowaga N.Y. House Fire - Two Fatalities

Cleveland Hill Fire Chief Joe Lewis said, “We could see from the front door that the first floor had collapsed. It was just too dangerous to enter so we had lines all over trying to hit it from the outside to knock it down enough so we could see to try to make entry.”

Fire Chief Lewis said, “With it being a brick structure it holds the heat in, so the only place to vent is through the floors and out the roof.”

“The fire load was immense, so it took a while to get it under control enough that we were able to safely send firefighters in to get to the rest of the fire,”  said Chief Lewis.



CHEEKTOWAGE, N.Y.  (The Buffalo News) — Dental records are expected to be used to confirm the identities of two people who died early today in a Cheektowaga house fire, where unstable structural conditions are slowing the work of fire investigators.

“The fire’s out. The bodies have been removed,” police Capt. Scott E. Pilat said late this morning.

Three town police arson investigators are on the scene at 27 Furlong Road.

“They’re having a hard time getting in,” Pilat said, explaining that floor joists were burned out and it’s feared the ceiling joists could collapse.

“Safety’s paramount,” Pilat said.

Firefighters still on the scene are attempting to position ladders to span multiple joists, Pilat said.

The fire, reported at 4:22 a.m., is believed to have started on the first floor of the 1½-story Cape home. Police officials said the floor caved in, making it difficult for firefighters to enter the house or find the occupants.

Susan Seawood, who lives nearby, said she woke up and saw “flames were just jumping out of the front of the house.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Autopsies on the remains were scheduled for Wednesday.

Read more of the story here http://ow.ly/tZpR9 

(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.)

Tragedy in Toledo, Ohio; 2 Firefighters Killed in Apartment Complex Fire

13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports



TOLEDO, OH (The Blade) - City sources said two firefighters have been killed today in an apartment complex fire near downtown Toledo.

The firefighters names have not been released pending notification of next of kin. A press conference is scheduled to provide more details.

The victims were taken from the building at Huron and Magnolia streets about 3:30 p.m. today.

TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Two Toledo firefighters have been injured while fighting a fire in north Toledo.

The fire broke out at a 6 unit apartment building in the 500 block of Magnolia St. near the Huron Market.

The two firefighters were loaded into 2 separate ambulances.

A battalion chief on the scene says the firefighters were attacking the flames when they became disoriented.

(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: West Virginia Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 12.07.2013

On December 7, 2013 at 0530hrs, after responding to the fire station for the report of a motor vehicle accident, Fire Chief Charles A. Pierson suffered a medical emergency and collapsed while boarding the first due apparatus. Although fellow responders came to his aid, Chief Pierson passed away in the fire station from a nature of injury still to be reported.

Our condolences to the Pierson Famiily & Friends, the Southern Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief Russell Gow's passing.
  
To date, 93  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Pennsylvania Assistant Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 11.20.2013

On November 20, 2013 at 2310hrs, while at the scene of a residential structure fire, First Assistant Fire Chief Russ “Rooster” Gow collapsed from a nature of illness still to be reported. Assistant Fire Chief  Gow was treated on scene by fellow responders and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injury.





Our condolences to the Gow Family & Friends, the Factoryville Fire Company, and to all affected Assistant Fire Chief Russell Gow's passing.
  
To date, 92  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: New York Firefighter On-Duty Death 11.11.2013

Lieutenant James C. Goodman Jr., 31, on November 11, 2013 at 2115hrs, passed away while at the fire station from a cause still to be officially reported. According to fire department officials, Lieutenant Goodman was found unresponsive in the exercise room of the firehouse.
  
Surviving are Lieutenant Goodman's  wife, Christina Giarrusso Goodman; his father, James Goodman Sr.; four sisters, Joanie (John) Hirsh, Sharon (Keith) Jones, Nancy (John) Trendowski, Denise (John) LeHanka; several nieces and nephews.
  
Our condolences to the Goodman Family & Friends, the Nedrow Volunteer Fire Department, and to all affected Lieutenant James C. Goodman Jr.'s passing.
  
To date, 91  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Maryland Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 11.07.2013

On October 25, 2013 at 1600hrs while working a traffic control point protecting the scene of a motor vehicle accident, Fire Police Captain David Roland Barr Jr. , 64, was struck by a car and seriously injured. Fire Police Captain Barr was treated at the scene by fellow responders and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries almost two weeks later on November 7, 2013.

Our condolences to the Barr Family & Friends, the Community Fire Company of Perryville, and to all affected Fire Police Captain David Roland Barr Jr.'s passing.

To date, 90  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Ohio Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 11.05.2013

Lieutenant  James Michael Hill, 52, on November 5, 2013, passed away at home in his sleep. Lieutenant Hill had been on-duty and responded to an emergency incident within 24 hours of his passing. The cause of death is still to be officially reported but initial findings indicate a sudden cardiac arrest.

Our condolences to the Hill Family & Friends, the Sycamore Township Fire & EMS Department, and to all affected Firefighter Lieutenant James Michael Hill's passing.

To date, 89  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Pennsylvania Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 11.02.2013

Firefighter Blaine E. “Skeeter” Wildnauer Jr., 58, on November 2, 2013 at 1040hrs,  suffered an apparent heart attack while assisting with loading a patient into an ambulance at the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

In addition to his parents, Blaine E. “Skeeter” Wildnauer, Jr. is survived by a daughter, Crystal Wildnauer and her boyfriend Daniel Rippy of St. Marys; two sons, Patrick Wildnauer and his spouse Tom Balamaci of Los Angeles, CA and Steven Wildnauer and his wife Laura of Clyde, OH; five grandchildren, Corbin Wildnauer, Ryan Wildnauer, twins Ava and Bella Wildnauer, and Landyn Rippy; and two brothers, Paul Wildnauer and his wife Georgia of Fishers, Indiana and Kurt Wildnauer and his wife Denise of Mason, OH.

Our condolences to the Wildnauer Family & Friends, the Fox Township Fire Department, and to all affected Firefighter Blaine E. Woldnauer's passing.

To date, 88  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Kentucky Firefighter On-Duty Death: Firefighter Dies of Burn Complications - LODD 10.27.2013

Fire Lt. Arlie "Pooh" Hill III, 37, of Whitley City, Kentucky burned in September, died Sunday evening.

Lieutenant Arlie "Pooh" HIll III and his brother-in-law, Lt. Adam Stephens who is also a firefighter with Whitley City Fire Department, on August 30, 2013 at 2230hrs, witnessed a fire in a residence near Hill’s home. After reporting the fire to which their fire department also responded, the two initiated a search of the home. While inside the structure, the firefighters were caught by rapid fire progress and injured. Lieutenant Stephens suffered fewer injuries and was able to rescue Lieutenant Hill from the burning home. Lieutenant Arlie "Pooh" HIll III  succumbed to his injuries, severe burns, after nearly two months in the hospital on Sunday evening, October 27, 2013.

Our condolences to the Hill Family & Friends, the Pine Knot Fire District, and to all affected Fire Lt. Arlie "Pooh" Hill III's passing.

To date, 87  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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 notconclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA: Ohio Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 10.20.2013

Firefighter Leroy Murphy Jr., 56, on October 18, 2013 at 2030hrs, responded to a fire call involving farm equipment while on duty with the Gettysburg Rural Fire Department. The following morning, Leroy Murphy fell ill while teaching at a local fire academy. Firefighter Murphy was treated and transported, on October 20, 2013, to the hospital but passed away a short while later from an embolism.

Leroy Murphy is survived by his father: Leroy Murphy of Greenville; his wife: Betty (Martin) Murphy of Greenville; son: Wyatt Murphy of Greenville; daughter and son-in-law: Amanda and Clayton Hans of Greenville; stepdaughters and sons-in-law: Betty and Brad Meade of Greenville, Nicole and Ronald Shellabarger of Greenville; stepson and daughter-in-law: Michael and Laci Reynolds of Summerville, S.C.; 12 grandchilden; brother and sister in law: Terry and Kim Murphy of Versailles; sister: Deborah Bailey of Greenville; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and all of his brother firefighters.

Our condolences to the Murphy Family & Friends, the Gettsburg Rural Fire Department, and to all affected Firefighter Leroy Murphy Jr.'s passing.

To date, 86  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.) 

Alabama Firefighter, Tennessee Fire Captain, Michigan Fire Chief, North Carolina Fire Captain Line of Duty Deaths (LODD)

Alabama Firefighter:

Firefighter Jantzen Murrell Frazier, 28, on October 10, 2013 at  1439hrs, was responding to the scene of a structure fire when the apparatus he was driving ran off the road, flipped and slammed into a power pole. Firefighter Frazier, the only person aboard the apparatus, was killed instantly from injuries sustained as a result of the accident. Investigation into the cause of the accident continues.

Our condolences to the Frazier Family & Friends, Oden Ridge Fire and Rescue, and to all affected Firefighter Jantzen M. Frazier's passing. 

     

To date, 85  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

Tennessee Fire Captain:


Fire Captain Richard Floersch, 59, on October 2, 2013 at 0200hrs, suffered an apparent heart attack while on duty at the fire station. Although fire and emergency personnel administered life support measures, Captain Floersch succumbed to the injuries sustained.

Our condolences to the Floersch Family & Friends, Milian Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Captain Floersch's passing. 

     

To date, 84  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.

 Michigan Fire Chief:


Fire Chief John Allison, 51, on October 7 2013, responded with his fire department to a personal injury auto accident as a mutual aid request. After assisting in extricating the victims and providing medical care, Chief Allison and the fire departments remained on scene to assist the Mason County Sheriff's Office in conducting an accident investigation. After clearing the scene, Chief Allison returned to the department and assisted other personnel in restocking the trucks to put them back in service. In addition, because an accident victim was the wife of a fellow firefighter, Chief Allison stayed at the fire department for a while with other members for a debriefing discussion. The following day, October 8, Chief Allison was at home and stated to family that he was not feeling well. That evening, Chief Allison suffered a cardiac event. Even though family members and fellow responders immediately took actions to revive Chief Allison after his collapse, he never regained consciousness. Chief Allison was transported to Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital before being transferred to a hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Chief Allison later passed away on October 14, having never recovered from the cardiac event on October 8.

Our condolences to the Allison Family & Friends, Mason County Rural Fire Authority Fire Department, and to all affected Fire Chief John Allison's passing. 

To date, 83  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) Fatality Notices page.


North Carolina Fire Captain:

Fire Captain David Heath, 48, on October 10, 2013 at 1600hrs, while participating in a department training exercise, Captain David Heath collapsed from an apparent cardiac event. Although fire rescue personnel immediately performed CPR, applied a defibrillator and administered advance life support measures, Captain Heath passed away.

Our condolences to the Heath Family & Friends, New Hanover County Fire Rescue, and to all affected Fire Captain David Heath's passing. 

     

To date, 82  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Idaho BLM Smokejumper Killed LODD: On-Duty Death 09.27.2013

40-year-old Mark T. Urban of Boise died during training when something went wrong with the deployment of his parachute...

Firefighter Mark T. Urban, 40, a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management, on September 27, 2013 at 1230hrs, died from injuries sustained while performing a proficiency jump. Investigation into the fatal incident continues.According to Ken Frederick with the National Interagency Fire Center, Urban had been with the airborne firefighting program for 11 years. He was one of the main trainers, and even developed the rookie training program.NIFC spokesman Don Smurthwaite described Urban as the kind of smokejumper that others aspired to be. "He set the standard for all smokejumpers", he said, adding the comment about how he was the best liked on the team.Firefighter Mark T. Urban, 40, a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management, on September 27, 2013 at 1230hrs, died from injuries sustained while performing a proficiency jump. Investigation in the fatal incident continues.Mark T. Urban, originally from East Longmeadow, Mass., had been a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) smokejumper since 2003. Mark is survived by his wife Rebecca, his parents and his sister.Our condolences to the Urban Family &; Friends, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and to all affected Firefighter/Smokejumper Mark T. Urban's passing.To date, 81 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Florida Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 09.22.2013

Firefighter Iran D. Rivers, 48,  on September 22, 2013 at 0300hrs, responded to an emergency medical call during the early morning hours then returned to the station. Later at shift change, Firefighter Rivers was discovered in quarters deceased from a cause still to be determined.
   
Our condolences to the Rivers Family & Friends, the Hillsbough County Fire Rescue, and to all affected Firefighter Iran D. River's passing.
  
To date, 80  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: New Mexico Fire Captain LODD: On-Duty Death 08.30.2013

Fire Captain Token Adams, 41, disappeared August 30, 2013 while riding an ATV and checking on a report of smoke in the Santa Fe National Forest. A week later after extensive search operations, Captain Adams was discovered by searchers deceased as a result of an accident involving the ATV.

Token Adams is survived by his wife, Heidi, 3 year old son, Tristan, his mother, a brother and sister. Token's wife Heidi is expecting their second childOur condolences to the Adams Family & Friends, the Santa Fe National Forest, and to all affected Fire Captain Token Adams' passing.To date,  79  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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 notconclusive in any shape or manner.) 

USFA: Missouri Assistant Fire Chief LODD: On-Duty Death 09.04.2013

Assistant Fire Chief Darr was found unresponsive inside the firehouse...

While working his shift and performing duties at the firehouse on August 17, 2013, Assistant Fire Chief Darr was found unresponsive. Joe Darr was transported to the Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe and subsequently transported to St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, MO. Although he was released by the hospital, Joe Darr was again found unresponsive while still on medical leave on September 4, 2013. He was transported back to St. Luke's Hospital where he passed away that day from a cause still to be determined.Our condolences to the Darr Family & Friends, Chillcothe Fire Department, and to all affected Assistant Fire Chief Joe Darr's passing.To date,  78  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.) 

Elmira New York House Fire - Four Killed In Blaze

ELMIRA, N.Y. (AP) — A fire tore through a home, spewing flames from the windows and killing four children, neighbors said.
The four victims had been pulled from the burning upstate New York home by firefighters and medics but died later.

The blaze swept through the two-story home, on a tidy block in the riverside city of Elmira, south of New York's Finger Lakes near the Pennsylvania border, on Friday night. Fire officials said the building was engulfed in flames when they arrived.

Police didn't immediately release the names and ages of the victims but confirmed on Saturday that children were among them.

Neighbor Glen Bolt told the Elmira Star-Gazette (http://stargaz.tt/1e0Etyc ) that he ran across the street when he saw flames pouring out of the home's windows and front door. He said the children in the home ranged in age from around 5 to 15.

"Me and the neighbor there busted the windows out, hoping the kids would come through that window," said Bolt, 72. "But by that time the smoke had already got them."

Firefighters had the blaze under control fairly quickly, officials said. The victims were found on the second floor in the home, said Mark Cicora, the deputy director of operations for the Chemung County Office of Fire and Emergency Management.

The cause and circumstances of the fire were 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: Oregon Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 08.25.2013

Contract Firefighter Oscar Montano-Garcia, 50, on August 25, 2013 at 1800hrs., during operations on the Nabob fire in Northern California, succumbed to a medical condition the nature of which is still to be reported. The cause of death remains unknown at this time.

Our condolences to the Montano-Garcia Family & Friends, U.S. Forest Service, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, and to all affected Firefighter Oscar Montano-Garcia's passing. 

     

To date,  77  firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.) 

Northern Michigan Firefighter LODD: On-Duty Death 08.20.2013

Clearwater Twp. Firefighter Dies Of Sudden Illness - Northern Michigan's News Leader

Lieutenant James Fellows, a northern Michigan fire department is remembered after he died Tuesday night, August 20, 2013 at after a routine day at work. Lieutenant Fellows passed away at home from a sudden illness within 24 hours of having responded to a rescue call.It is believed he died from a heart attack.

   

Survived by his wife, Teresa; and three children, Alison, Katelin, and Hunter; two sisters, Debra (Jordan) Bonnell of Shepherd, and Janette (Randy) Nelson of Johannesburg.

    

Our condolences to the Fellows Family & Friends, the Clearwater Township Fire Department, and to all affected Lieutenant James Fellows' passing. 
     

To date, 76 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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: Texas Fire Pump Operator/Engineer LODD: On-Duty Death 08.10.2013

Pump Operator/Engineer Juan Pablo Casanova, 53, on July 16, 2013 at 0800hrs, suffered a heart attack while on duty. Juan Casanova experienced three more heart attacks while in the hospital where he passed away on August 10, 2013.

Our condolences to the Casanova Family & Friends, the Brownsville Fire Department, and to all affected Pump/Engineer Juan Pablo Casanova's passing. 

   
To date, 75 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2013. 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.)