Kitchener Ontario firefighters were dispatched to a possible house fire at 7 Briarmeadow Crescent on Feb. 27. Pump 4, Pump 6, Aerial 2, Rescue 1 and Car 23 (Platoon Chief) were dispatched with 15 firefighters at 10:50.
The crew of Pump 4 arrived on scene first, and reported smoke pushing from the eves of a large single family home. P4 crew entered the structure with a 1.5" line to do a primary search and reported heavy smoke inside the home, and fire through the first floor at the rear of house.
They were only able to search the upstairs bedrooms due to the heavy fire in the basement. No occupants were found in the structure. Neighbors informed command the residents were away on vacation.
A backup 1.5" line was pulled by R1 firefighters. P6 firefighters pulled a 2.5" line to the rear of the house to try to knock down the fire in the basement. Aerial 2 firefighters were assigned RIT duties.
Conditions deteriorated rapidly, and command had dispatch set off the evacuation tones and pump operators sound their air horns. Once all crews were out, a PAR was called to account for all personnel.
Pump 3 was added to the call. A steady 20 mph west wind dropped the temperature to a bone chilling -10 Fahrenheit.
Two additional 2.5" lines were deployed and P6 was ordered to set up their 75' aerial. Lines surrounded the house as heavy fire vented through the roof. Firefighters were able to protect exposure homes, one located only 10 feet away on the E4 side of the structure. Pump 6 used its aerial to dampen down the fire in the roof. Command requested Pump 1 to respond at approximately 12:30 to help rotate crews on scene.
Firefighters were rotated to a city bus which was brought in to warm crews. BOX 690 Canteen members on scene requested that their truck respond to the fire as soon as available.
