Palatine (IL) firefighters were called to 308 W. Slade Street Thursday evening for a house fire. Arriving companies found a single-family house with nothing showing. Police officers had helped a resident out who was treated by paramedics and refused transport to a hospital.
As firefighters found the seat of the fire, they were informed that an elderly woman had not made it out. She was located and brought outside where paramedics were unable revive her.
Four people died in a two-vehicle, high speed collision on Interstate 95 near the 44 mile marker southbound, Friday morning 11-November at 03:58. Colleton County (SC) Fire-Rescue units arrived to find a tractor-trailer off in the woods. A passenger car had been struck in the rear and also pushed into the woods. The larger truck crushed the car and drove on top of the vehicle trapping all four rear passengers and the adult female driver. A male front seat passenger was able to exit the vehicle with assistance and was moved to Medic 13 for treatment of his injuries.
The car suffered massive damage. Firefighter-paramedics used Holmatro rescue tools to gain access to the female driver. She was unconscious and suffered multiple traumatic injuries. Crews used chainsaws to remove several large pine trees that had been knocked down. Multiple hydraulic tools, including spreaders, cutters, and rams were used during the extrication. Once the trees were removed, chains were rigged between hydraulic spreaders to two large pine trees and then to portions of the car to pull the dash forward to free the driver.
Three additional Fire-Rescue ambulances and the LifeNet 4 medical helicopter were assigned to the incident. LifeNet landed at the scene on I-95 just south of the accident. When the driver was freed, she was quickly treated in Medic 26, then flown in critical condition to the trauma center at Trident Medical in Summerville. The male passenger was transported by Fire-Rescue to Colleton Medical Center, but later was transferred to the trauma center at Trident Medical. The truck driver was also transported to Colleton Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.
The Coroner’s Office and the SC Highway Patrol MAIT Team responded to the scene. Once their investigations were completed, firefighter-paramedics extricated the remaining four victims. Two wreckers pulled the truck off of the car to allow firefighters access to the vehicle. Three children and one adult female in the back seat were deceased. The Coroner’s Office transported the bodies. SC Transport Police and the Sheriff’s Office also assisted. Fire Rescue units were on the scene for five and half hours. Traffic was down to one lane during the incident and backed up for five miles.
Engine 1, Engine 26, Rescue 1, Medic 1, Medic 13, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12 and Car 105 responded. Deputy Chief David Greene served as Incident Commander.
Barry W. McRoy, Fire Chief, Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Kitchener (ON) fire dispatch toned out Wilmot Township Baden station for a confirmed structure fire at Snyders Road E and Brubacher Street November 8 at 16:25. Baden requested a second alarm adding Wilmot Township New Hamburg station to the call before they left the hall. Baden P1 arrived on scene and reported heavy fire and smoke showing from an empty, former commercial building. All crews were advised by command to stay out of the building, strictly a defensive attack. Small and large lines were pulled around the structure. Command requested a third alarm from the township’s remaining station in New Dundee. Forty firefighters battled the fire for several hours before bringing it under control. Four pumpers and New Hamburg’s quint were used to supply water to the fire. The fire was declared under control at 21:30 and out just after midnight. Box 690 provided rehab.
Kitchener Ontario firefighters battled their second working fire in two days November 4, 2016 at 22:50. Dispatch received multiple calls for a fire at Canada’s Best Value Inn at 1175 Victoria Street North. The location is a couple of minutes from my house. I arrived on scene as P2 was pulling into the motel. They had heavy fire venting from a second floor unit. All Kitchener pumpers have two pre-connected 200’ 1.5” attack lines on their front bumpers. P2 firefighters pulled the first line and had the bulk of the fire knocked down from the parking lot in less than a minute, before I could get my camera out of my bag after walking over quickly from an adjoining parking lot. Textbook knock down. Firefighters went interior to knock down the remaining hot spots and pull the ceiling. There was no extension to either side or to the attic. Box 690 provided rehab.
At 14:58 hours on 11/5/16 the South Windsor, Ct FD was dispatched to 945 Pleasant Valley Rd for smoke coming out the front of the building. On arrival members had one unit fully-involved and extending to other units. At least one member and civilian were transported to the hospital. Many surrounding towns assisted at the scene and covered the stations. I’m told at least 14 units were damaged or destroyed by the fire. More pictures at www.squadfirephotos.com
