For the period of Friday September 26, 2008 to Thursday October 2, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 111 calls for assistance.
Friday September 26 – Early Friday evening saw the department responding to a series of vehicle fires the most serious occurring in the 1300 block of Caravelle Drive. Shortly before 7 PM, LaSalle fire units were dispatched for a vehicle on fire in a driveway. By the time units arrived on the scene the vehicle was well involved in fire. Members of Engine Company 9 quickly deployed a hoseline to combat the flames and prevent the fire from spreading. By the time the flames were extinguished the car was a total loss with damages estimated at $2,500.
Sunday September 28 – Just as the Buffalo Bills were taking the field, fire units from the Ontario Avenue and 10th Street stations were dispatched for an unusual type of incident. Central Alarm received a call from an occupant in Jordon Gardens indicating that a man was pinned in a stairwell by a refrigerator. Apparently during the moving process the fridge broke free, tumbled down the stairs and pinned the man at the bottom of the stairs. Individuals at the scene called 911 when the victim did not respond and due to the refrigerator blocking their access could not reach the victim. Due to the patient’s injuries as well as the position of the refrigerator it became necessary to use power tolls to remove the lower portion of the staircase so that the victim’s injuries could be assessed and he could be immobilized. The victim was then able to be removed from his entrapment and was transported to a local hospital.
Sunday September 28 – At 7:52 PM operators at Central Alarm began to receive calls indicating an apartment was on fire in the 600 block of Chestnut Avenue. Some of the calls indicated that their may be people trapped within the structure. Members of the NFPD, who arrived first, confirmed that people were trapped on the balconies and did remove one victim from the structure. On arrival firefighters from Engine 3 deployed ladders to remove those residents on the balconies while subsequent arriving firefighters began to deploy hoselines into the structure. Visibility within the structure was zero as the chocking smoke began to fill the street. Additional lines were deployed as the fire gained control of the stairway and threatened to consume the upper level apartments. Fighting intense heat, firefighters pushed down the interior hallway to the fire apartment where fire had complete control of the unit. Additional ladders were deployed to upper levels as firefighters ventilated to remove the heat and gases and began to look for any remaining occupants. This accidental fire which was caused by unattended cooking resulted in 2 injuries and displaced the occupants from all 6 apartments resulting in the building being condemned. The Red Cross was called to assist those displaced while fire units from Niagara County provided coverage for city stations.
Monday September 29- Monday morning started out as a continuation of Sunday evening. At 9:11 AM reports came in reporting a structure fire with people trapped in the 500 block of 16th Street. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring out of the 3 story wood frame multiple dwelling. Search teams as well as hoselines were quickly deployed into the building. Firefighters encountered high heat conditions and found a well involved apartment fire on the second floor. Just as firefighters were entering the apartment the windows failed and flames shot from the apartment. Additional teams of firefighters conducted ventilation efforts while additional hoselines were deployed. The search for occupants did not turn up any trapped people and the actual fire damage was confined to the apartment of origin. The fire was believed to be caused by an incense stick being accidentally left burning in the area of nearby combustibles. Once again the Red Cross was called to assist displaced city residents.
Tomorrow begins Fire Prevention Week. The theme for this year is “Prevent Home Fires”. This year the NFFD has responded to over 225 fires in residential buildings. Over 4,500 Americans died in fires last year with more then 80% of all fire fatalities occur to individuals in their own homes. The following tips can greatly improve your chances of not becoming a fire statistic:
• Have at least one working smoke detector with battery on each floor of your home.
• Have a Home Fire Escape Plan with a designated “Central Meeting Place” and practice it.
• Don’t overload electrical circuits.
• Make sure that your heating system is in good working order
• Pay attention when using the stove and don’t become distracted.
• Once you are outside never reenter a burning building.
Following these simple tips will greatly improve your odds of surviving a home fire.
