For the period of Friday July 3, 2009 to Thursday July 9, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 105 calls for assistance.
Saturday July 4 – At 6:12 AM fire units responded to a reported structure fire in an unoccupied building in the 400 block of 20th street. The structure has been the location of a number of incidents involving members of the city’s public safety department over the past few months. On this particular morning a caller indicated that the rear of the home was on fire. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and fire in the rear of the building a deployed hoselines to combat the blaze. The building was quickly searched for any occupants while the fire was brought under control. The fire appears to have been intentionally set and members of the Fire Prevention Bureau continue to investigate.
Monday July 6 – A late afternoon auto accident sent a total of 2 patients to a local hospital while another party refused medical treatment. The 1300 block of LaSalle Avenue was the scene of an accident that not only resulted in injury but also resulted in vehicle fluids being spilled on the roadway. Firefighters arrived and stabilized the vehicles while simultaneously treating the patients. An unknown amount of fluid was spilled from the vehicle creating an additional hazed for both the victims as well as responders. Firefighters used absorbent material to contain the material and the roadway was quickly reopened.
Tuesday July 7 - The 400 block of 19th Street was the scene of a fire that was reported just before midnight. Firefighters arrived to find a fire rapidly extending up the rear of a building threatening to consume the second floor and attic. Rapid deployment of hoselines allowed firefighter to quickly gain control of the fire and confine it to a small area. Like the fire on 19th Street this fire originated in the rear of the building. It is unknown if this fire is related to the blaze on 19th Street, but the similarities have gotten the attention of Fire Investigators.
Thursday July 9- Just after midnight the resident in a downstairs apartment heard a noise from the upstairs unit. A short while later a passerby began to knock on the door and alerted the occupants to a fire on the second floor. By this time fire was blowing out the windows on the second floor and threatened to consume the structure. . Firefighters arrived in the 1300 block of Linwood Avenue and found a well involved fire and the report that someone was believed to be trapped inside. The sound of breaking glass was heard as firefighters attempted to release the toxic gases and extreme temperatures from the interior of the building. This action also improved visibility as firefighters searched for the reported victim. Hoselines were stretched into the building while ladders were placed to windows should they be needed. Firefighters pushed their way into the fire area and were able to limit the fire damage to a few rooms upstairs. It turned out that the reported occupant was not in the structure and was safe in another location. The exact cause of the fire is believed to be related to smoking material igniting the sofa.
Thursday July 9 - The 6600 block of Niagara Falls Blvd was the scene of a rollover accident that was reported at 8:15 PM. On arrival firefighters were confronted with an accident involving several vehicles with one coming to rest on its roof. The victim who did not appear to be suffering from serious injure was still inside the vehicle, unable to get out. Using a combination of tools firefighters was able to gain access to the victim and remove him from the vehicle.
