Sunday, June 27, 2010

Residential House Fire

Incident Date: June 27, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3002 Vista View Dr.
Incident Type: Residential Fire

Narrative: At 9:02 p.m. eight companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 5 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Medic Unit and command staff responded to a reported residential structure fire.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke and flames shooting from the back of the two story 4,911 square foot house.  Firefighters fought the blaze with hand lines while the ladder company performed vertical ventilation to combat the well entrenched fire. The fire was brought under control at 9:38 p.m.

There were no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is undetermined and damage estimates are $400,000 to the property and contents.


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Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bio-Fuel Garage Fire

Incident Date: 6/15/2010
Issuing Officer: Faith Mueller
Incident Location:  3500 block of South 13th
Incident Type:  Bio-Fuel Garage Fire

Narrative:  At 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, June 21,  4 Engines,
1 Ladder, 1 Medic company and Command Staff responded to a reported residential garage fire.

First arriving companies found a heavy volume of black smoke and flames in the alleyway with flammable liquid running down the alleyway and into the street.  The incident was upgraded to a Hazardous Materials response and three of the department's Class B foam apparatus were dispatched to the incident.

As the flammable liquid traveled down the alleyway it ignited a nearby recreation vehicle and adjacent detached garage.  Due to the large volume of fire and potential for increased fire spread, masterstreams were deployed to extinguish the main body of the fire.

Crews also worked diligently to minimize any environmental impact related to the bio-diesel.  The storm drains were diked, absorbent pads placed and Class B foam was applied.  The Hazardous Materials team completed an assessment of the flammable liquid and then conferred with the Department of Ecology.

Damage Estimates:  $75,000.00

Fire Cause:  Undetermined

Monday, June 7, 2010

Marine Exercise June 10th

On Thursday June 10th, 19 agencies will be exercising rescue missions and security response in the Browns Point Area of Tacoma. Participants will start gathering at 7 a.m. at the Browns Point Improvement Club, 201 Ton-A-Wan-Da NE. The drills will begin around 10 a.m. and the goal is to evaluate both individual agency capabilities and their ability to effectively communicate and work together.

This exercise series (designed to last approximately six hours) includes simulations of rescue swimmers hoisting victims into a helicopter. Responders will also have the opportunity to practice their skills using personal water craft and boats in rescues, as well as practice response to a vessel fire simulation. A subsurface dive rescue team is also included in the response. Marine units will train using different vessels simultaneously during the water rescues.

Participating agencies include Browns Point/Dash Point Fire Department, Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, East Pierce Fire & Rescue, Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, Gig Harbor Police Department, Graham Fire & Rescue, Key Peninsula Fire Department, Lakewood Fire Communications, Lakewood Fire Department, McNeil Island Fire and Rescue, Pierce County Emergency Management, Pierce County Regional Air Support, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, South King Fire & Rescue, Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma Police Department, United States Army – Joint Base Lewis-McChord, United States Coast Guard, and the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Friday, May 21, 2010

May 21st Training Burn

Incident Date: May 21st, 2010
Incident Location: 8602 S. Ainsworth Street

Narrative: On Friday, May 21, 2010, the Tacoma Fire Department conducted a training burn at 8602 S. Ainsworth Street.

The property is part of the “From Ashes to Homes” project with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. The structure needed to be removed to clear the way for the creation of 11 new homes for hard working low income families. The new neighborhood will include sidewalks, streetlights, and a community area with recreation space.

This all day event was an great opportunity for the Tacoma Fire Department to conduct live fire training in a controlled setting and we were grateful to be able to assist Habitat for Humanity with the development of their very important project.

West Tacoma House Fire

Incident Date: May 21st, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 2339 N. Narrows Drive
Incident Type: Residential Fire

Narrative: At 11:09 a.m. Friday May 21, 2010, eight companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported residential garage fire.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke and flames coming from the attached garage portion of the two story house. Firefighters battled the blaze with hand lines and the ladder company preformed vertical ventilation on the roof to stop the fire from traveling a crossed the attic. The fire also significantly damaged one vehicle parked in the driveway.

The fire displaced two occupants and there were no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

North Tacoma House Fire

Incident Date: May 21st, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3318 N. 27th Street
Incident Type: Residential House Fire

Narrative: At 10:10 a.m. Friday May 21, 2010, eight companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported residential structure fire.

Fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the three story residence. Crews attacked the fire with hand lines and contained the fire to an upper bedroom and a portion of the attic area. There were no injuries to report, and the cause of the fire was a child lighting matches.

Damage Estimates: $30,000 to the building and $20,000 to the contents.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Two-Alarm Residential House Fire

Incident Date: May 18, 2010
Issuing Officer: Tory Green
Incident Location: 1730 S. Ainsworth
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 12:33 p.m. Tuesday May 18, 2010, eleven companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 7 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units and Command Staff responded to a reported residential structure fire.

The first arriving company found fire and smoke showing from the main floor of the two story turn of the century house. Crews battled the blaze with hand lines and initiated search and rescue tactics. A second alarm for additional resources was called as the intensity of the fire resulted in a collapsing roof of the primary structure and significant exposure damage to the adjacent house at 1732 S. Ainsworth.

A passing by off duty firefighter and neighbors assisted in getting all of the occupants out of both of the houses. Two of those occupants were transported to local area hospitals.

The Red Cross is assisting with the displaced families and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.