FIREFIGHTER’S WORDS -117- AVOIDING DISASTER

The morning of February 4 2009 was a morning that all of us got lucky due to training and experience. We were the first due on a working structure fire with flames visible on the A/B/D division of the structure. Another firefighter and I were making entry when the porch roof started going south. As we noticed this, my partner saw that the floor under us had been compromised as well.

We backed out and went with plan B. While we were knocking the fire down our Chief realized three 100lb propane tanks on the side of the house were intact and beginning to vent. This changed the scenario completely. Two other firefighters were advancing a line to cool the tanks when the order to evacuate the scene was given.

Had it not been for the quick actions by our Chief, this could have resulted in a major LODD for our department. Thankfully the tanks didn’t explode. After the fire was out in the early morning hours, we noticed that the basement of the house contained three kerosene heaters and four “gas grill” size LPG tanks. All of this and the age of the house contributed to the heavy fire that we encountered. All occupants of the home had escaped unharmed except for one dog.

Had the porch and floor not been compromised, forcing us to pull back, this could have turned ugly real fast. It just goes to show that what you can’t see WILL kill you.