JEFFERSON HILLS, PA, FEB. 27—Jefferson Hills Fire-Rescue arrived at a hotel that was built circa 1870 and found the structure well-involved, with heavy fire in the interior. Unsure of whether people were inside, the first-arriving unit forced the front door and went offensive on the first floor. A second line was stretched to the second floor. Once it was confirmed that no civilians were present, all members were pulled out to begin a defensive attack. Because the second floor of the building collapsed onto the first floor, the fire was very difficult to extinguish, given the hot spots that burned beneath the collapsed second floor. About 100 firefighters and 14 apparatus were on scene for the incident, which spanned about five hours. Departments that provided aid include the Clairton Volunteer Fire Department, the Dravosburg Volunteer Fire Department, the Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire Company, the Glassport Fire Department, the Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Company and the West Mifflin #3 Volunteer Fire Company, as well as the Munhall Volunteer Fire Bureau’s rehab unit.
Photo by Eric Rasmussen
FORT WORTH, TX, JAN. 22—Fort Worth Fire Department crews found a well-involved structure on arrival. Members battled hoarder conditions. Large amounts of combustible materials fueled the fire that eventually broke through the roof and forced firefighters to go defensive. Several residents needed to be treated for injuries that were related to the fire.
Photo by Glen E. Ellman
PALMER, PA, JAN. 31—First-arriving units of the Palmer Municipal Fire Department at the new Palmer Point Apartments found smoke issuing from the stairwell between Divisions 1 and 2 and from several vents along the same floor line. Workers were in Division 1. Advancing lines felt high heat and encountered heavy smoke, but no visible fire was found initially. It was discovered that the fire was in the floor/ceiling and advancing to B side and up into the walls to Division 3. Two additional alarms were struck. The building sustained heavy fire damage in the center of Divisions 2 and 3; the remainder had smoke and heavy water damage. The cause of the fire was a propane heater that malfunctioned and burned into the floor.
Photo by Thomas A. Kohler
CHICAGO, JAN. 31—Heavy fire showed on the second floor and through the roof of a vacant two-story greystone that was marked (red “X”) as a dangerous building. According to records, the building was vacant for at least 10 years. Engine Co. 116 deck-gunned the second floor before leading out. Engine Co. 84 and Engine Co. 50 also led out lines. Engine 84 and Engine 50 shared a hydrant.
Photo by Josh Boyajian
