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On July 15 there was a lightning sparked fire in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania at the Harper’s Crossing apartments that left seven firefighters injured. Two of the firefighters were held overnight with burns. The injuries occurred during a roof collapse shortly after the order to evacuate was given. Above is the helmet-cam from a firefighter assigned to RIT. Below is part of the description with the video:
At 1:32 a priority to activate the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). Our rescue was assigned RIT shortly after they went responding. Our crew knew that they were not on location yet so our officer called command and we assumed RIT responsibilities. At 1:43 the first mayday was called. There were 4 firefighters on the third floor when the roof collapsed. At 2:01 the two firefighters that called the mayday jumped over the 2nd floor railing onto a small over hang and were rescued by ground ladders. at 2:08 a second mayday is declared for the remaining two firefighters. After the location is given we went to go get them. As we climb the steps to the 2nd floor stairwell one of the two firefighters is on the ground and the other one can be seen around the 2:28 mark making his way through the flaming debris down the steps.
July 16th article, Bucks Local News:
“Fire was developing in the attic area. Crews made an initial attack. When we saw they weren’t going to be able to handle the fire, we evacuated the building,” said (Langhorne-Middletown Fire Chief Frank) Farry.
“In the process of evacuating, there was a partial roof collapse. All the firefighters were able to get themselves out of the building, some through some unconventional means like jumping down an extra flight of stairs.”
The fire eventually went to four alarms as more than 100 firefighters from throughout Lower Bucks County, including Bensalem, Bristol, Falls, Middletown, Yardley-Makefield, Newtown, Northampton, Levittown, Lower Southampton and others, fought the blaze.
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Also on STATter911 …
- Raw video & fireground audio: Mayday at two-alarm apartment fire in Prince George’s County, MD. – December 26, 2012
- Mayday audio: Firefighters need help in evacuating from Edmonton apartment fire. – January 22, 2012
- Fireground audio: Mayday in Toronto after firefighter falls through floor of burning storage facility. Five-alarm fire burns overnight. – January 10, 2012
- Must see video: Surveillance camera captures mother & five kids jumping from Newark, NJ apartment fire. – October 5, 2012
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Sometimes it’s like Rob Drydeks show… Ridiculousness.
Were they planning to put the fire out with their flashlights? The RIC should have a hoseline, saws, stokes, etc. Looks like they didn’t have anything other than 2 20 foot long hooks.
They were 2nd alarm side c ladder. Thier rescue was added after 2nd alarm for rit. Not being on site yet they acted in there place due to no rit team on fire ground.
Hey just think for a minute, if the Tower didn’t get put into service, WHO KNOWS WHY and with a crew on the 3rd floor there might have NOT been any firefighter injuries.