Published: April 18, 2008 07:32 pm            

FIRE CALLS: Falls Fire Department reports for April 19

For the period of April 11 to 18 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 128 calls.

• FIRE: Central alarm began to receive calls at 2:30 p.m. April 11 indicating a large column of smoke was visible in the area of Porter and New roads. Units responding from the Royal Avenue fire station confirmed the initial reports, but were unclear on the exact location and source of the smoke. Engine 8 believed that the smoke was coming from along the railroad tracks in the area north of the intersection. Fire units made their way into the suspected area and were confronted with a vehicle fully involved in fire. Using the water carried on the fire apparatus, firefighters were able to completely extinguish the fire before it could spread into nearby debris piles. This obvious arson fire is currently under investigation by members of the Falls Police Department as well as investigators of the Fire Prevention Bureau.

• FIRE: The first significant incident of a very busy day involving 28 emergency responses was a structure fire which was reported at 8:59 a.m. Wednesday. A passerby called and reported smoke coming from a structure in the 300 block of 38th Street. First arriving units reported smoke coming from a two-story dwelling, but did not see any visible fire. The structure was heavily secured which resulted in a slight delay in gaining entry into the building. During this time, smoke conditions continued to deteriorate and multiple hoselines were deployed. Interior firefighters reported high heat conditions in the second floor and the incident commander directed the members of Truck 1 to ventilate the roof. Once this was accomplished, firefighters were able to access the second floor and quickly contain and control the fire. Despite the early morning hour and the presence of automobiles in the rear of the property, no occupants were found to be at home. The fire is believed to have started in the wiring to an outside light and then extended through the walls to the second floor and attic. There were some tense moments as the fire threatened to spread to the electrical feed from the pole. Damage is estimated at $15,000 in this accidental fire.

• FIRE: At 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, fire units were alerted to a structure fire in the 1800 block of 16th Street. Once again, prior to arrival, reports indicated that this may be a serious fire and firefighters noticed smoke filling the late morning sky. Fortunately, once firefighters arrived it was determined that the source of the smoke was a fire that involved a large debris pile. The pile was in close proximity to a structure. Aggressive hoseline deployment allowed firefighters to stop the rapidly spreading fire from causing significant damage to the home. Damage to the home is estimated at $2,000 and this fire is still under investigation.

• INCIDENT: The 1600 block of Weston Avenue was the scene of a reported emergency that involved a natural gas leak. Firefighters were dispatched at 11:42 a.m. Thursday for the odor of natural gas in a dwelling. On arrival they were able to determine that a defective appliance in the kitchen was the source of the leak, but firefighters were unable to shut the gas off at the appliance. Since the gas meter was located in the basement and firefighters were concerned about possible ignition, protective hoselines were deployed as firefighters made their way down the basement steps. The gas meter was quickly located and shut off while members of the truck began ventilating the structure to remove the toxic and flammable gas. One resident of the home was evaluated by medical personnel for exposure to gas.

• NOTE: As residents begin cleaning up their yards they are reminded to keep brush piles away from the building and to thin out any vegetation around their homes. The older housing stock in the city is very susceptible to easy ignition from fires that may start from discarded smoking material that involves dry vegetation.

        

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