Working Car Fire Near Firehouse

At 1000 hours, a first alarm was dispatched for a vehicle fire endangering a structure at our fire station. EMS arrived first to find a working engine compartment fire in a car at the intersection of Main & Franklin Streets (approximately 50 feet from the station). Upon arrival of Deputy 5 and Engine 5-1, the remainder of the first alarm was cancelled. The crew from Engine 5-1 stabilized the car, popped its hood, and extinguished the fire with the rescue-engine’s trash line. The fire department cleared the scene after the vehicle was towed.

November Sub Sale Cancelled

Due to problems with one of our suppliers, the sub sale for November 2009 has been cancelled. The next sub sale will be Saturday, December 19th.

First Due Business Fire

On November 18th at 2032 hours while on routine patrol, East Conemaugh Police discovered what appeared to be a building fire at a local recycling business. Chief 5 and Engine 5-1 were on scene within minutes (and while the working fire assignment was still being dispatched). The chief and rescue/engine crew found a large fire involving piles of shredded car interiors inside one of the former steel mill buildings.

Engine 5-1’s crew started deploying attack lines to combat the fire while awaiting Engine 15-1’s arrival a minute later to provide a water supply and manpower for additional attack lines. Truck 5-1 was a minute behind Engine 15-1 and its crew assisted the engine companies with tools to get at the fire.

Engine and rescue companies 17 and 13, Attack 6-6, and tankers from 3 and 43 provided manpower, lighting, and/or water supply. Nanty Glo’s rescue company provided the rapid intervention team. Several Conemaugh Valley Regional ambulances were on standby and firefighter rehab was performed by Conemaugh EMS .

Though the fire was knocked down in approximately 30 minutes, several companies remained on scene for about another hour while heavy equipment was used to tear apart the piles to allow extinguishment. The fire also damaged a conveyor and its cause was determined to be spontaneous combustion.

Did You Change Your Detector Batteries?

When turning clocks back by one hour on Novemeber 1st, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.  It is also recommended that the detectors be tested at that time to ensure they are working properly. Remember smoke and CO detectors save lives!