Grease Fire Spreads Through N.C. Pub

Jan. 2, 2013

Two alarms were struck on Dec. 26 at a popular eatery in the Glenwood South business district of Raleigh.

The fire was reported at 10:20 a.m. at the Hibernian Pub at 311 Glenwood Avenue. Engine 13 found smoke showing from the roof and the eaves of the one-story, brick veneer building.

Crews entered the structure with handlines to begin an offensive attack. Engine 1 laid a supply line to Engine 13. 

Ladder 4 was positoned on the corner, and Ladder 2 on the north side and both units extended their aerial ladders to the top of the building. Crews carried their saws to the roof, to begin performing ventilation.

Less than ten minutes after the first units arrived, a second alarm was requested by the arriving division chief. 

Crews were withdrawn from the structure and defensive operations usings aerial streams from Ladders 4, 2 and 3. 

On the ground, portable monitors were deployed and the deck gun from Engine 13 was also used as flames broke through the east side of the building beside the engine. 

Two engines were special called at 10:57 a.m.

The fire was controlled at 11:35 a.m. Overhaul operations extended into the afternoon, and crews remained on scene through the night. Relief companies included Engine 23, Ladder 1, and Ladder 7.

Only three people were in the building at the time of the fire. They escaped unharmed and no other injuries were reported.

Medical resources provided by Wake County EMS included five ambulances, two advanced practice paramedics, a district chief, and the major operations support unit. The medical evacuation bus was special called for rehab.

The cause of the fire was determined as accidental, a grease fire in the kitchen area. The kitchen was equipped with a fire suppression system that activated. By that time, noted investigators, the fire had spread to the walls and ceilings.

The building was not equipped with a sprinkler system.

The adjacent office building suffered smoke damage, but received no structural damage.

First Alarm - 10:21 a.m.

  • Engine 13, Engine 1, Engine 3, Engine 5
  • Ladder 4, Ladder 2
  • Rescue 2
  • Battalion 3
  • EMS 7

Working Fire - 10:27 a.m.

  • Air 1
  • Battalion 2
  • Car 10, Car 20, Car 40
  • EMS 2, M94, D1, T1

 Second Alarm - 10:30 a.m.

  • Engine 6, Engine 2, Engine12
  • Ladder 3
  • Rescue 3
  • Battalion 1
  • Car 2, Car 3, Car 5
  • OFM staff
  • Training staff
  • EMS 2, EMS 31, EMS 11

Special called at 10:57 a.m.

  • Engine 7, Engine 11
  • EMS 14, M94, Evac 1

Relief companies included

  • Engine 23 and Ladder 1, dispatched 5:49 p.m.
  • Ladder 7

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