For the period of Friday April 3, 2009 to Thursday April 9, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 87 calls for assistance.
Friday April 3 – Just as the “Stand Against Racism” press conference and kick-off was concluding, the lower level of City Hall began filling with smoke. The fire alarm was activated and the occupants all safely exited the building. Firefighters from the 10th Street fire hall were the first to arrive and they encountered moderate smoke in the hallway. The source of the smoke appeared to be from a machine room that housed controls and equipment associated with the buildings elevator. An electric motor apparently had a mechanical failure resulting in the production of the thick chocking smoke. Firefighters extinguished the small fire and spent the next hour removing the smoke from the building. Just last year the employees of City Hall participated in a series of fire drills. Those drills paid off on Friday with the building being quickly evacuated and no injuries sustained by either employees or visitors.
Wednesday April 8 – The late season snowfall and icy conditions made for a busy morning for falls firefighters. At 6:36 fire units were dispatched to a multi vehicle accident on the I-190. A total of 6 vehicles were involved in this chain reaction incident that sent two people to the hospital. Firefighters assessed the vehicle for leaking fluids and were originally confronted with six individuals complaining of minor injuries. As all of the injuries were minor four of the six elected not to be transported to the hospital. The roadway was closed for some time as State Police investigated and cleared the accident as well as arranged for a salt truck to reduce the slippery conditions.
Just as units were clearing the Thruway, calls starting coming into Central Alarm reporting another multiple vehicle accident in the 2800 block of Hyde Park Blvd. Once again the slippery conditions on the bridge contributed to another chain reaction collision involving five vehicles. This incident resulted in a total of four patients being transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Wednesday April 8 - As the day was coming to an end fire units from LaSalle were dispatched for an automobile fire. At 11:49 PM units were sent to the 200 block of 77th Street for a vehicle on fire adjacent to a structure. Units arrived and found a sedan well involved in fire and threatening to extend to a nearby home. Firefighters deployed hoselines to quickly control the fire and stop it from spreading. While the vehicle was a total loss the damage to the structure was limited to the siding. The fire is considered accidental and appears to have started due to a mechanical failure.
The calendar says Spring and despite the snow this past week the weather will soon warm up and windows will open. Each year the Niagara Falls Fire Department responds to several incidents of children falling out of windows. Screens are only designed to keep insects out and will not hold back the weight of a toddler. Before the warmer weather arrives now is a good time to childproof your home to prevent a small child from falling out. There are a number of kits that are available from retailers that will limit how far a window will open but still allow for the window to fully open in the event of an emergency. Beds, dressers, desks, etc should be positioned such that a child cannot access the window by climbing on the furniture. It only takes a second for a tragedy to occur so take the time now before the nice weather is here to stay.
