| Essential details of
the situation: The fire occurred in
the basement of a three story frame building. On the first floor there was a
restaurant. The second and third floors consisted of four occupied
apartments. Construction of the first floor appeared to be 2X10 joists with
one inch wood flooring. On top of the floor was one inch of concrete and
tile. Upon arrival, units found a large volume of fire in the abasement
which was fed by the natural gas supply and meters. An aggressive interior
search was initiated. Soon fire broke out on the first and second floors
through the front walls and stairway. An evacuation was ordered in order to
darken down the fire with an exterior attack. FD personnel were unable to
reenter the basement due to flooding. The fire involved the first floor
joists which made fighting the fire from the first floor interior unsafe.
Members tried for several hours to extinguish the fire, but were
unsuccessful due to sagging floors. The building was declared unsafe.
Members were directed to keep out of the first floor. The area was marked
with yellow "Caution" tape and tables to barricade the danger area.
Unfortunately the barricades were removed without notifying the Incident
Commander. Two firefighters entered the first floor. The floor collapsed
under them, causing them to fall into the flooded basement. Fire was still
burning freely in the floor joists surrounding the trapped firefighters. A
MAYDAY was transmitted, activating the Rapid Intervention Crew. Both members
were rescued and sent to the hospital with minor injuries.
Lessons Learned or Reinforced:
During mutual aid responses a unified command post must be established
bringing a representative from all agencies involved. This proved
invaluable during this incident.
Command must be notified of any change in tactics.
RESPECT THE COLLAPSE ZONE, REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR THE
COLLAPSE TO OCCUR.
Concrete and tile can make a floor appear stable even though the
support structure underneath the tile is burned away.
Tables, chairs, and other furniture placed across a doorway are used
to identify a hazard. Before removing these "obstructions".
Investigate/inquire why these items were placed there.
Evacuation and collapse messages must be broadcast over all radio
frequencies of mutual aid agencies operating at an incident.
Training Suggestions:
"Yellow" Caution tape has no real meaning to firefighters or first
responders. It is used for crowd control, crime scene, closed sidewalk,
hole in the floor, command post, etc. We think nothing of lifting the
yellow tape and walking under it. A different system is needed to identify
an area dangerous to us. Our department initiated a policy of using "RED"
Danger tape to identify a hazardous area. Members are not permitted to
operate in the DANGER area. The tape cannot be removed without the
permission of the IC. If adopted, this policy should be shared with your
mutual aid agencies.
Constantly review building construction through study and in service
inspections.
We learned a valuable lesson during this incident at a minimal expense.
The intent is to highlight the "LESSONS LEARNED" and not to place blame.
Stay Safe!
Submitted by:
Steven Dyl, Deputy Chief
Kearny Fire Department (Local 218) |
