For the period of Friday October 3, 2008 to Thursday October 9, 2008 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 118 calls for assistance.
Saturday October 4 – Shortly after 3PM fire units were dispatched for a report of smoke coming from a structure in the area of 56th Street and Lindbergh. Units arrived to find a wood frame garage in the 400 block of 55th Street with smoke coming out of the doors. This structure was behind a building that was the location of a previous arson fire that occurred some time ago. Firefighters advanced hoselines into the garage where they encountered at least two vehicles involved in fire. Aggressive work by firefighters allowed the fire to be quickly controlled with no extension. Shortly before the fire occurred, three juveniles were observed in the area and may possible be connected to this suspicious fire. The Fire Prevention Bureau as well as Detectives from the Arson Unit continue to investigate this fire.
Sunday October 5 – The 300 block of 72nd Street was the location of a late morning fire that sent LaSalle fire units into action. Rubbish on a rear porch of a home ignited and threatened to involve the structure. Quick action limited the amount of damage and this fire is under investigation. This incident highlights the importance of placing trash in a container far away from the home or nearby combustibles. Ash trays may contain hot ashes emptied into the trash as well as materials can smolder for some time and cause a fire.
Monday October 6 – At 11:29 PM Engin3 (Ontario Avenue) was dispatched for a vehicle accident around the corner from the station on 11th Street. Arriving firefighters immediately realized the severity of the incident and initiated a call for additional units. This 3 vehicle incident resulted in a least 2 occupant’s still being trapped within the wreckage with what appeared to be serious injuries. Firefighters used an assortment of tools to disentangle the victims form the vehicle and eventually extricate them. A total of 4 patients were transported to medical facilities. Due to the serious nature of the injuries at least two patients were taken to a trauma center while another was sent to Childrens Hospital. The roadway was closed to traffic for some time as the NFPD conducted an investigation of the accident.
Wednesday October 8 – The 3000 block of Welch Avenue was the scene of an afternoon house fire that has been determined to be caused by unattended cooking. At 3:24 PM Central Alarm began to receive reports of a fire with people trapped in the structure. Alarm Operators, realizing the serious nature of the incident immediately dispatched both of the city’s ladder truck as well as 4 Engines to provide adequate resources. Engine 8 (Royal Avenue) arrived first and found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the 2 story home with bystanders confirming that at least one occupant was still inside. The victim was quickly located and removed from the structure while other arriving fire units stretched hoselines and began a search of the other areas of the home. The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen as well as other nearby rooms with the remainder of the home suffering smoke damage. The Red Cross was called to assist the family and damage estimates have been placed at $23,000. This was the second fire is as many weeks that was caused by unattended cooking that required the rescue of trapped occupants. Earlier this year, two firefighters were awarded the Levy Brothers Award (issued for bravery) for their successful rescue in 2007 of an unconscious woman who was trapped in her home by a fire that was caused by unattended cooking. If these incidents continue at the present rate, it is only a matter of time until someone loses their life in a fire that could have been prevented.
