For the period of Friday October 9, 2009 to Thursday October 15, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 104 calls for assistance.
Friday October 9 - Smoke and the telltale orange glow filled the air in the 400 block of 5th Street just after 3 AM. Multiple fire units responded to the reported unknown type fire and arrived to find a 2002 Saturn automobile fully involved in fire. Hoselines were deployed for the Engine Company while members of the Truck Company opened up the vehicle so that the hose streams could penetrate to the heart of the flames. Fire investigators were called to the scene to attempt to determine the area of origin and establish a cause. Investigators have classified the fire as suspicious and have determined that the fire originated in the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle was a total loss.
Sunday October 11 – A fisherman out for an early morning outing found himself unable to return to shore when the water level in the lower river rose and cut off his means of egress. At 9:19 AM the fisherman realizing that he could no longer safely get back to shore used his cell phone to call for assistance. Firefighters as well as State Parks Police were dispatched to the incident which was located just downriver from the Vanderbilt steps. To assist in the rescue operation operators of the power generation plants on both the Canadian and US sides were asked to draw more water which would in turn lower the level in the lower river. Parks Police made contact with the man and working in tandem with Falls firefighters were able to get the man safely to shore. Individuals who are unfamiliar with the river must realize that the power authorities control the levels within the lower river. During daylight hours the amount of water that flows over the falls is much greater that when it is dark. This results in wide fluctuations of water levels and can result in individuals being stranded on rocks. Such was the case with this incident when rocks used to access the fishing spot were submerged by the rapidly rising water.
Tuesday October 13 – The 2900 block of Pine Avenue was the scene of an early morning incident that involved a vehicle striking a building. At 7:51 AM fire units were dispatched for the reported incident that apparently only involved one vehicle. Firefighters arrived and began to asses the damage to the occupants of the vehicle as well as the building and car itself. Once it was determined that the building was not structurally compromised firefighters found out that the occupants reported that they were uninjured. Damage to the building was minor however Building and Inspections was notified to perform a more comprehensive assessment of the structure.
Wednesday October 14 – The 700 block of Niagara Street was the scene of a pedestrian versus automobile accident that occurred at 5:17 PM. Firefighters from 10th Street arrived to find a patient lying in the right hand lane of the roadway complaining of several injuries. Department EMT’s both stabilized and immobilized the patient to prevent any additional injury. The patient was transported to Niagara Falls Memorial with what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries.
Soon the majority of the leaves will begin to fall from the numerous stately trees that line our neighborhood streets. While in some cases the leaves may be wet, each year the Niagara Falls Fire Department responds to many incidents that involve vehicles being parked on top of piles of dry leaves and both the leaves and the vehicle catch fire. The catalytic converter on the underside of the vehicle can approach temperatures in excess of 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is hot enough to ignite the leaves which in turn set the vehicle ablaze.
