For the period of Friday July 11, 2008 to Thursday July 17, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 98 calls for assistance.
Saturday July 12 – Just before 7AM Central Alarm began to receive reports indicating smoke from an unknown source filling the air in the 900 block of Ferry Avenue. Fire units from the 10th Street hall were dispatched and found smoke coming from a vacant wood frame dwelling. Upon investigation it was determined that someone had intentionally set fire to a couch inside the building. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire before it spread to involve the structure. Members of the Fire Prevention Bureau are continuing to investigate this fire.
Monday July 14 – At 7:18 PM fire units were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 2000 block of Lockport Street. Once the scene was secured by the police department, department EMT’s found a victim with an apparent gunshot wound to a lower extremity. Firefighters stabilized the wound and assisted in preparing the patient for transport to a local hospital.
Tuesday July 15 – Shortly before 10AM firefighters responded to the first of two calls this week for individuals trapped within an elevator. Firefighters using specialized equipment for elevator rescues were able to get of the trapped parties safely out of the elevators. The elevators were then placed out of service until trained repair technicians could inspect and repair the defective elevators. Individuals trapped within an elevator should not panic and if available use the phone located in the elevator car to call for assistance. If the car is not equipped with a phone, use the alarm to summon assistance. At no time should individuals attempt to force open the doors as the car may suddenly begin to move and you could possible be pinned between the hoistway and the elevator car.
Thursday July 17 – At 1:30 AM the firefighters assigned to the Ontario Avenue fire hall were alerted to respond to a “hazardous condition” in the 800 block of Ontario Avenue. Firefighters arrived to find some type of slick substance which had been spilled on the roadway from 10th and Ontario all the way down to Whirlpool and Ontario. Additional information confirmed that the substance was hydraulic fluid which had been spilled from a vehicle when a mechanical failure occurred. Firefighters spent the next 2 hours spreading absorbent material along the spill in an attempt to contain the material and minimize the hazard to the public. Firefighters used brooms to work the material into the spill and were in a race against incoming thunderstorms. Over 40 bags of absorbent material were used to contain the spilled hydraulic fluid.
