Photo by Jay K. Bradish/IFPA Weather was a major factor for firefighters battling the fire as the temperature was only nine degrees. Hoselines had to be flowing all the time, water was turning to ice immediately and firefighters needed to be rotated out of the cold.
Smethport, PA, Jan. 31, 2004 – The Smethport Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at the Take 2 Video store located at 413 West Main St. at 11:10 A.M. The historic three-story building, originally a hotel known as the Pickard House, was erected in 1880. Over the years, a variety of businesses occupied the building. At the time of the fire, a video store was located on the first floor, an apartment on the second floor with the third floor being vacant. The third floor had been damaged by a fire on Thanksgiving Day 1996 that destroyed an adjoining building.
Engine 21, Engine 23, Tanker 22, Rescue 26 and Utility 25 responded with 30 firefighters under the command of Chief Jeff Young. As Young arrived on scene, the occupant of a second-floor apartment was exiting the building. This let enough oxygen to enter the building and a backdraft was created, blowing the front windows out of the first-floor store. Young immediately requested a second alarm, which brought an engine and rescue to the scene from the Star Hose Company in Port Allegany. A special request was made for an aerial ladder from the Kane Volunteer Fire Department.
Smethport Engine 23 hooked onto a hydrant and firefighters attacked the fire on the first floor with two 1¾-inch lines. These crews found the first floor unsafe and withdrew from the building. Operations were switched to a defensive mode at this time. Engine 21 reverse-laid 600 feet of supply line from Engine 23 to Hamlin Lake and set up drafting operations with six-inch hard suction.
Star Hose responded with two engines and a rescue. One engine was positioned in the alley behind the building, while the other engine reverse-laid another supply line from the scene to the lake and set up drafting operations. A third alarm brought engines from the Norwich Township and Hilltop volunteer fire departments to the scene. At this time, a special request was made for a tower ladder from the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department.
Smethport firefighters left the scene at 4:30 A.M. the following day. Damage was estimated at $180,000. An adjoining one-story building sustained extensive smoke and water damage and minor fire damage.
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This month : Hazardous materials response.
- CAMEO
Download free software to plan and respond to chemical emergencies. - CHEMTREC
Responder information, new response training school, links and more. - DOT 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook
Full downloadable version, summary of changes and online lookup capability. - Florida Assn. of Hazardous Material Responders
Hazmat team requirements, links and more. - IAFF Virtual Academy
Hazmat training available from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). - International Vessel Operators Hazardous Materials Assn.
International association dedicated to improved application of maritime hazmat transportation. - Massachusetts Assn. of Hazmat Technicians
Officers, photos and hazmat team information. - North Carolina Assn. of Hazardous Materials Responders
Classes, meeting dates, images and more. - Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team
Hazmat program, compliance information, response team information and more. - Virginia Assn. of Hazardous Materials Response Specialists
Site for a coordinated voice among hazmat teams.
