Published: November 06, 2009 11:33 pm      

FIRE CALLS: Nov. 7, 2009

Niagara Falls

Fire Department

Calls for service

• ALARM: It is becoming more and more common for individuals to have a variety of alarm systems in their homes. Early in the morning on Oct. 30, members of the 10th Street Fire Station responded to a residential high rise building that not only has fire and smoke detection systems, but also has medical alarms similar to those found in patients’ rooms in a medical care facility. After determining which unit the alarm was coming from, and conversing with the occupant, it was clear that no medical emergency existed. Firefighters were able to determine that the source of the alarm was a playful feline that took a liking to the pull-cord that activated the alarm. Apparently the cat either took a forceful swipe at the cord or latched onto the cord causing the alarm to activate.

• WEATHER: The local weather forecasters were correct when they told us that the winds would pick up on Oct. 31. At 1:49 a.m., fire units were dispatched for electrical wires down in the 4000 block of Packard Road. On arrival, firefighters found no less than five large metal towers down, blocking a number of roads that converge at the intersection. With the assistance of the police department, the roads were closed off and when it became apparent that the closure would be for an extended time, wooden barricades were called for. The downing of the electrical lines caused a number of localized electrical outages within the city. National Grid spent until late in the afternoon stringing new lines to carry the electrical service.

• FIRE: Units were on the scene of an automatic alarm, when just after 2 a.m. Oct. 31 the phones began to ring in Central Alarm. Callers indicated that a large volume of fire could be seen in the rear yards of the 400 block of Sixth Street. Firefighters were able to clear the alarm and as they looked into the sky, they saw the telltale orange glow that meant they were enroute to a serious fire. First arriving units reported a fully involved two-story frame structure that appeared to be vacant. Fire threatened other nearby structures and multiple hoselines were stretched from not only Sixth Street but also from hydrants located on Seventh Street. Firefighters initially engaged in an offensive interior attack, but due to the increasing intensity of the fire were forced to abandon the building. Once all firefighters were safely outside and accounted for, multiple master streams were established using aerial devises, as well as ground and vehicle mounted deluge sets. Due to the volume of fire and the extended period of operations, units from Niagara County as well as off-duty firefighters were called into the city to maintain coverage. Investigators from the Fire Prevention Bureau have determined that this was an arson, but due to the extensive damage were unable to safely pinpoint an area of origin. Representatives from the city’s Building and Inspections Department were on-scene and coordinated the emergency demolition of the remains of the structure.

• FIRE: Halloween was officially over at midnight, but the streets of the commercial areas of the city were still filled with partiers Sunday, frequenting the numerous bars and clubs. At 12:41 a.m., calls began pouring in reporting another large fire, this time in the 500 block of Fifth Street. Fire units from the 10th Street Fire Station arrived to find a large two-story frame home with a large amount of fire on the second floor. The intense fire was beginning to melt the siding on the adjacent property and firefighters knew if they did not get water on the fire quickly, the other building would become involved as well. The call went out to bring all available on-duty resources to the fire scene as, once again, multiple hoselines were pressed into service. For the second night in a row, both elevated master streams as well as portable deluge sets were placed into service to cut off the spread of fire and hold it to the building of origin. Niagara County was once again called into the city to ensure that the citizens remained protected while fire units combated the fire. Investigators have determined that this, too, was an arson and have developed information regarding potential suspects.

• FIRE: A pizza box left in the oven was the cause of smoke that filled a home on 67th Street on Thursday. Fire units from LaSalle were dispatched for a possible kitchen fire at 6 p.m. and arrived to find light smoke coming from the structure. Further investigation determined that the occupant had inadvertently left the box in the oven and when they went to use the oven the box began to smolder. Damage was confined to the interior of the oven.