IRONDEQUOIT, NY - On Wednesday evening August 24, 2005 at approximately 5:53 pm, the Ridge - Culver Fire Department was toned out for a report of a structure fire at 82 Ellinwood Drive. Per the automatic mutual aid plan for structure fires, the Point Pleasant fire department was also toned out to respond.
Point Pleasant Assistant Chief John Cullati was the first to arrive on scene, and reported a heavy haze of smoke in the area. Upon further investigation Assistant Chief Cullati reported heavy smoke and fire from the number two side of a raised ranch structure, and declared a working fire. Upon arrival on scene of Ridge - Culver Chief Bill Burkovich, he confirmed the working fire, and assumed Incident Command.
IC Chief Burkovich then requested additional equipment to the scene from Point Pleasant, and also requested a FAST Team from Sea Breeze fire department. IC Chief Burkovich also requested a mutual aid fill in to his station from the Laurelton fire department, but they were rerouted into the scene for the use of their manpower. A special call was put in for mutual aid to the scene from the Union Hill fire department for the use of their heavy rescue truck with cascade system to fill air bottles.
It took 50 firefighters from 4 departments to bring the fire under control, and the structure was declared uninhabitable. The residents of the structure were not home at the time of the fire. Two firefighters were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Monroe County Fire Bureau, and the Town of Irondequoit Fire Marshal's office.
Assisting Ridge - Culver fire department at the scene, were the Point Pleasant fire department, Sea Breeze fire department, Laurelton fire department, Union Hill fire department, Monroe County Fire Bureau, and the Town of Irondequoit Fire Marshal's office. The Irondequoit Volunteer Ambulance, Northeast Quadrant ALS Medic 10, and Sea Breeze fire department Ambulance were on fire scene standby. Also assisting at the scene were the Irondequoit Police department, Ridge - Culver Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Red Cross.
This was Ridge -Culver's eleventh structure fire this year.
