Photo Story: Detroit Building Collapses During Blaze

Sept. 24, 2013
As Detroit firefighters battled a fire in a vacant hardware store, the entire two-story building collapsed.

As Detroit firefighters battled an intense building fire on Aug. 29, the two-story building collapsed into a pile of burning rubble.

Engine 27 and Ladder 22 arrived along with Chief 7 and found heavy smoke and fire from the vacant hardware store. An extra engine and truck were ordered.

Engine 27 stretched their bundle and an extra 2 12/2-inch line and laid to a hydrant at the opposite corner of the block. Engine 42 arrived and dumped their monitor at which time a draumatic change in smoke condition was noted.

Engine 33 reversed a supply line to Ladder 22 while Engine 42 hooked to the plug at Military and Michigan preparing to put their monitor into service.

As firefighters began flowing water, a sudden and full collapse of the brick, steel and frame building occured causing firefighters to run from the street to avoid falling debris.

At this time, the aerial was placed in operation and additional resources were arriving.

Units on scene: E-27, 33, L-22, S-4, Ch-7, E-29, 42, L-8, 7, Ch-203

Related

Photo Courtesy of Keith Addie/NJFiregroundPhotos.com
Photo 9. Positioning for maximum scrub and suppression operations are critical for the initial arriving truck company.
Capt. Dave Fornell
Fast-spreading fire tactics may dictate writing off the structures originally involved and focusing all resources on preventing the fire from spreading. Care must be taken to prevent lines and firefighters from being positioned in places where they could be endangered by collapsing buildings or other factors.
Capt. Dave Fornell
Gallery Fornell 3
Capt. Dave Fornell
A close up view shows the condition of Detroit Engine 9 pumping at a box alarm earlier this week.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!

Edward Simmers IV
Patterson Diesel
Trevor James
Trevor 1
40/29 News Screenshot
Fort Smith
Harlem7
Las Vegas Fire and Rescue
Las Vegas and Clark County firefighters needed nearly an hour to get the two-alarm apartment blaze under control Tuesday.
Bob Bartosz
Bob4