For the period of Friday August 14, 2009 to Thursday August 20, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 135 calls for assistance.
Friday August 14 – Just before 7:30 PM the air around the Wendts Dairy building filled with the pungent smell of ammonia. Fire units from the LaSalle area responded to asses the situation and determine the extent of the leak and if any immediate hazards existed. They were able to determine that the gas was escaping from a rooftop tank and that the leak was relatively minor. Firefighters continued to monitor the situation and at one time contemplated limited evacuations. The problem was traced to a relief valve that is designed to prevent container failure due to overpresurization. A combination of the warm temperatures, strong sunlight, and the quantity of product may have led to the valve operating. The valve did eventually reseat and the problem was controlled.
Saturday August 15 - The intersection of 5th and Pine proved to be hazardous for the operator of a motorcycle. At 6:04 PM units from the 10th Street station responded to a reported serious accident involving a motorcycle. On arrival firefighters found the operator of the motorcycle with an obvious injury to the upper body. Fire department EMT’s stabilized that patient who was transported to a local trauma center with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
Sunday August 16 - The early morning hours of Sunday proved to be extremely busy for the members of Platoon 3. Between midnight and 7 AM members of the department responded to 3 significant fires and at least 4 other incidents. At 1:56 AM units responded to a fully involved automobile fire in the 1100 block of Whitney Avenue. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze before the fire was able to spread to other combustibles. At 4:01 AM firefighters responded to an apparent arson fire involving the use of an accelerant in the 1300 block of 22nd Street. A tenant awoke to find a deliberately set fire in the hallway outside of their apartment. On arrival firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and remove the smoke. Just as units were returning to the station from the fire on 22nd Street reports came in to Central Alarm indicating yet another vehicle fire in the 1800 block of Weston Avenue. This fire also resulted in the vehicle sustaining significant damage and being declared a total loss. All three of these incidents are considered suspicious and are under investigation by members of the Fire Prevention Bureau. If anybody has any information on these ore other suspicious fire they may contact the bureau at 286-4728.
Sunday August 16 – A boating accident on the upper river sent two are people to the hospital early Sunday evening. At 5:09 PM firefighters responded to the 7600 block of Buffalo avenue to rendezvous with a vessel that was transporting two injured parties to shore. On arrival department EMT’s assisted in stabilizing that patient prior to their transport to medical care facilities.
Monday August 17 – Once again an early morning car fire summoned the members of the department. At 4:40 AM fire units were sent to the 1800 block of Willow Avenue for another suspicious fire involving an abandoned vehicle. This was the third suspicious fire involving vehicles to occur in the center city area in the past 24 hours. Fortunately each of the fires was contained to the involved vehicle and did not spread to nearby structures.
Wednesday August 19 – Most of the time it is members of the other Niagara County departments providing assistance to the city. On Wednesday afternoon it was the city’s turn to reciprocate when firefighters were called to assist with an EMS call in Cayuga Village. City firefighters responded with two units under the mutual aid compact to render aid and assistance.
