I spent Sunday (3/15/15) in Gary, Indiana and even though I didn’t catch the big one, the day was at least interesting as it usually is in Gary. Companies were dispatched to a dwelling fire in the 2400 block of Colfax around 12:45. I was on the other side of town and missed the address so by the time I arrived it was mostly out. Turned out to be the same vacant dwelling that was burned a few weeks ago.
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Eric Haak photo
Truck 2 broke down while en route and had to be replaced with Truck 1 from the other side of town. With decent light I took a few shots of the responding rigs. Squad 2 is now responding in the Chevy 3500 that is pictured. They responded with three in the rig.
Eric Haak
At about 2:00, a brush fire came in out in Miller (the far east side of town). The fire was on a hill that was directly behind an apartment complex. Engine 7 had to back into a position at the base of the hill to feed a line over a retention wall in order to gain access. Nothing spectacular but better than nothing.
Firefighters from seven fire departments in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin responded to a house fire at 1115 Center Avenue in the Village of Oostburg on Sunday, March 15th.
Firefighters from Oostburg, Cedar Grove, Town of Wilson, Waldo, City of Sheboygan Falls, Haven and Adell responded to the scene.
All of the occupants got out safely and no one was reported injured. There was extensive damage to the rear of the residence.
Manchester, Ct. had this fire at 465 Buckland Hills Dr on 3/15/15 @0055 hours. The gas members caught fire and extended up the outside of the building. Members kept the fire in check until gas company reps arrived and were able to secure the gas.
One firefighter was injured and a residential dwelling destroyed Sunday morning 15-March. At 01:15, Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue was notified of a reported explosion and house fire at 461 Three Mile Road, north of Walterboro. Engine 19 arrived to the rural dirt road minutes later to find the single-story, wood-frame dwelling fully involved.
It is suspected that the home had been burning for quite some time before anyone discovered the fire, as the entire roof had already burned off of the building. A LP tank was found to be venting behind the structure sending flames 20 feet into the air. It is believed the tank venting was the loud noise which alerted neighbors to the fire.
Photo by Harold Buzzell
The driveway to the home was equipped with a narrow metal gate which prevented fire apparatus from accessing the property. Firefighters deployed two 3-inch lines from Engine 19 through the yard to the building, then gated them down to supply two 1-3/4 handlines each. One crew was dedicated to cool the LP tank, while other firefighters battled the blaze.
One nearby exposure was endangered; a detached apartment, carport and utility room was connected by a covered walkway and located about 30 feet from the burning home. A portion of the covered walkway was badly damaged, however firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching the apartment and carport.
Photo by Harold Buzzell
While engaged in extinguishing the fire, a portion of the floor near the front of the building collapsed. One firefighter fell through the floor and was inures landing on the floor joists below. He was transported by ambulance (Medic 26) to Colleton Medical Center, where he received treatment for broken ribs and other non-life threatening injuries before being released from the hospital later in the day.
Firefighters remained on the scene for 5-1/2 hours. The large home had been vacant for over a year, but still had power connected. The origin of the fire appeared to be suspicious in nature. Colleton Fire Investigators notified the Sheriff’s Office and the State Police Arson Unit (SLED). SLED agents and other investigators remained on the scene throughout the morning.
I was close to this fire at 6643 S. Racine on Saturday morning (3/14/15) and arrived just before the smoke began to dissipate. The fire was venting from the “B” side and appeared to be on the first floor. There were unconfirmed reports that a deceased individual was located after the fire was out. There was no report on whether that individual was a fire victim or had died before the fire started. No media reports had been given at the time of this being written.
Tuesday (3/10/15) I took in a fire at 5038 s May, in Chicago. Battalion 15 arrived and had smoke showing from the attic of a 2.5 sty balloon frame. Fire started on the first floor in the ceiling and traveled up the walls and into the attic. Engine 50 had 2 lines lead out, Truck 18 had their main to the roof. Here are some shots.
