For the period of Friday September 12, 2008 to Thursday September 19, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 130 calls for assistance.
Friday September 12 – Just before 8 PM fire units were alerted to the report of a structure fire in the 100 block of 62nd Street. Fire units arrived and found a smoke condition in the structure and found the source to be a fire in a bathroom. The fire was extinguished prior to fire department units arriving on the scene and was believed to be caused by a candle coming into contact with nearby curtains. Besides the damage to the curtains there was some slight smoke damage to the structure and one of the occupants did sustain minor burns.
Sunday September 14 – The wind picked up as the evening hours approached and the result was a very busy night for the firefighters of Platoon Two. Between 6 PM and 6 AM Monday morning firefighters responded to 17 incidents throughout the city. Many of these incidents involved downed tree limbs and electrical wires. The most serious of these incidents was when a downed electrical wire in the 400 block of 76th Street threatened to start a nearby garage on fire. Before firefighters were able to safely approach the fire, the garage did sustain some minor damage. As the sun came up on Monday morning, firefighters again responded to a rash of storm related emergencies. Before the severe weather of the winter arrives it would be a good idea to stock up on spare batteries, water, and non-perishable foods.
Tuesday September 16 - At 1:55 AM firefighters from the downtown stations were dispatched for a structure fire in the 1300 block of Ashland Avenue. On arrival firefighters found that a significant kitchen fire was raging in a wood frame dwelling. Firefighters immediately began to deploy hoselines to combat the fire while the members of the Ladder Company began to search the upper levels of the structure for any trapped occupants as well as fire extension. The fire was quickly brought under control but not before it caused an estimated $7,000 in damage to the building and its contents. The building contained numerous code violations and those coupled with the fire damage resulted in total of seven occupants being displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupants with temporary housing and other assistance.
Wednesday September 17 – Once again the sound of responding fire apparatus filled the early morning air of the 1100 block of Pierce Avenue. At 3:47 AM firefighters from Engine Three (Ontario Avenue) were dispatched for what was originally reported as rubbish burning in an alley. A nearby resident was awaken by what he describes was the sudden increase in the temperature in his room. He looked out his window and noticed a large fire in the alley and promptly called 911. Firefighters arrived and found that a nearby garage was completely involved in fire and requested that additional units be dispatched to assist. The fire was so intense that within five minutes of the fire department arrival the roof of the garage collapsed leaving only two walls standing. The total loss of the garage resulted in a dollar loss that was estimated at $10,000 and the suspicious fire is under investigation.
Thursday September 18 – Engine Eight (Royal Avenue) was dispatched at 1:54 AM for a report of rubbish burning in the 1900 block of Mackenna Avenue. On arrival they were confronted with a fully involved vehicle fire that involved a 1999 Land Rover. Firefighters resorted to the use of specialized firefighting foam to completely extinguish the fire which appeared to have originated in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was declared a total loss and the exact cause of the fire is still undetermined as members of the fire Prevention Bureau continue to investigate.
