Crane Strikes Aerial Bucket, Creates Close Call for Phoenix Firefighters

Three firefighters narrowly escaped injuries after the aerial ladder they were operating from was struck by a crane.

Phoenix firefighters were using two aerial to battles a recycling yard fire Thursday when the close call happened.

"And then out of nowhere you hear a mayday from a bucket, from a ladder truck, saying, 'We've been struck by a crane,'" Capt. Rob McDade told KPHO. "They're swaying back and forth."

McDade said the crane operator did not see the aerial ladder bucket when he was moving debris for firefighters to access the fire. 

"Unfortunately, one of those crane operators not paying attention whether it be from the smoke or whatnot."

The firefighters were stranded over the fire until they were able to climb down.

"It would have been catastrophic," McDade told the television station. "We would have had a ladder truck elevated over a fire scene that would have tipped over."