8 Providence firefighters trapped by ceiling collapse
On Friday night, May 30, Providence firefighters responded to Prairie Avenue, on the city’s south side, for a house fire. On arrival, Engine 10 had heavy fire showing from all floors of a vacant 3-decker. Master streams were deployed and knocked down the heavy fire. Firefighters were then allowed inside to extinguish any remaining fire. Approximately 40 minutes into the incident, the third floor ceiling collapsed, trapping 8 members. Maydays went out and the FAST company was deployed. All of the trapped members were able to make it out on their own but they were all transported to RIH for evaluations and later released. The cause of the fire is considered suspicious.
To add to Providence, on June 1, another fire broke out on Fruit Hill Avenue, where two firefighters became disoriented on the second floor of a building and transmitted maydays. They made it to a window and were able to make it out unharmed.
Shortly after 9, on the night of April 14, 2014, Providence firefighters responded to 55 Plymouth Street for a house fire. On arrival, Engine 8 found the rear of an occupied 3-decker well involved. There were reports of people trapped, so engine companies began an interior attack as members of Ladders 2,5 and the Special Hazards performed primary searches. Another period of high winds in New England is continuing and 30-40mph winds blew through the house, rapidly spreading the fire and trapping several firefighters. Two Maydays were transmitted and three alarms were sounded. All of the firefighters were able to make it out, one head first out of a window and landed in the bushes below. Two firefighters and one resident were taken to RI Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Tom Carmody photo
Tom Carmody photo
Tom Carmody photo
Tom Carmody photo
Tom Carmody photo
Tom Carmody photo
I arrived about 18 minutes into the fire. Master streams had been deployed and in two of the included photos, you can see a closed door help back thousands of gallons of water, to the point that the water was coming out of the window of the door. The weight eventually became too much and the door gave way, cascading the water into the street.
