Leetsdale, PA, Nov. 17, 2015—Leetsdale and Sewickley Fire units were dispatched to a commercial fire alarm at Weatherford Engineered Chemical in the Leetsdale Industrial Park. The structure contained 6,000 pounds of sodium chlorite and ammonium persulfate. Leetsdale Chief Logan reported heavy smoke and fire visible from the roof as he pulled out of the fire station and requested an immediate second alarm. This was a defensive operation only. There were numerous explosions and subsequent collapse of the original fire building, as crews worked to protect several exposure buildings. More than 100 firefighters from three counties battled the five-plus alarm blaze for five hours before command placed it under control.
Photo by David Novak
Manchester, NH, Nov. 18, 2015—Manchester fire crews battle heavy fire at a large three-story wood-frame structure with fire on the third floor and extending into the attic and roof areas. Firefighters stretched several handlines and conducted searches of the structure. As heavy fire conditions took over the attic and roof areas, the fire chief ordered all firefighters from the building, switching operations to an exterior attack using multiple ladder pipes and master streams. It took firefighters about two and a half hours to bring the fire under control.
Photo by Dave Stewart
Fontana, CA, Jan. 13, 2015—Fire crews from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to a two-alarm pallet fire. Upon arrival, they found a small portion of the pallet yard on fire, some pallets stacked as high as 40 feet. Firefighters began an aggressive attack from all sides, keeping the fire contained to its point of origin. Firefighters had their hands full keeping embers from a burning palm tree from spreading to an adjacent business and residential structure. Crews had the fire knocked down in an hour and a half.
Photo by Tod Sudmeier
