For the period of Friday February 6, 2009 to Thursday February 12, 2009 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 133 calls for assistance.
Saturday February 7 – Firefighters assigned to Engine 3 (Ontario Avenue) heard the all too familiar sound of gunshots just after 1:15 AM. A short 2 minutes later the station alerting tones activated and the dispatcher’s voice dispatched the firefighters to the 1000 of South Avenue for an incident involving multiple shooting victims. Firefighters arrived to find a total of four individuals suffering gunshot and other assorted injuries. Multiple ambulances as well as other fire resources were dispatched to the scene to handle the patients, some of who appeared to be severely injured. The victims were evaluated and treated on the scene and transported to a medical facility for additional treatment. Firefighters actually transported one of the victims in Truck One when it was determined that there would be a delay in the availability of additional ambulances.
Saturday February 7 – The 2700 block of Orleans Avenue was once again the scene of fire activity. At 5:53 PM firefighters were dispatched for a report of a fire on the second floor of a 2 story single family home. Firefighters arrived and encountered heavy smoke from the windows of the second floor and quickly began to deploy hoselines and establish a water supply. As firefighters were making their way up the stairs, the upstairs apparently flashed over and fire began blowing out the front window on the second floor. An aggressive interior fire attack in conjunction with ventilation allowed firefighters to confine the fire to the second floor. Damage estimates were placed at $30,000 and the cause of the fire may have been a supplemental heater.
Monday February 9 – Shortly after 6 AM fire units were dispatched for a reported auto fire in the 1800 block of South Avenue. Engine 3 arrived to find a well involved vehicle and along with Truck One began the task of effecting fire extinguishment. The fire appeared to have originated on the front seat of the interior of the vehicle and is considered suspicious. Fire Investigators as well as Arson Detectives continue to investigate the blaze.
Tuesday February 10 – The intersection of Old Falls and Third was the location of a natural gas leak that filled the air and resulted in some evacuations. At 2:38 PM fire units were dispatched for a simultaneous fire alarm and gas leak at a commercial building located at the intersection. The on-duty Platoon Chief arrived and confirmed the presence of a large leak located in a nearby alcove between 2 buildings. It was determined that a large chunk of ice (about the size of a car) had slid off the roof and struck the commercial gas leak. The impact of the ice sheered off some of the piping resulting in the uncontrolled release of gas. Under the protection of a handlines firefighters approached the pipe and were able to shut off the gas. Nearby occupancies were inspected for any accumulated gas and when it was determined to be safe the occupants were allowed to reenter.
Thursday February 12 – At 4:58 PM firefighters were dispatched for a reported kitchen fire in the 1900 block of Cudaback Avenue. Engine 8 arrived and found smoke coming from the second floor of the structure. On investigation firefighters found a small fire in the kitchen with one person suffering from exposure to products of combustion. The fire was rapidly extinguished with initial damage being placed at $ 20,000. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The fire is considered accidental and may be related to unattended cooking.
