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Raw video: Three-alarm building fire with structural collapse in Taunton, MA.

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Video from wackpackxj of a March 16 three-alarm fire in Taunton, MA. At 3:08 on the video some sizable pieces of the building tumble down.

Todd Feathers, Boston.com:

A three-alarm fire tore through a vacant warehouse in Taunton today, collapsing the roof and destroying the top three floors of the building.

The 100 Oak St. warehouse, which is owned by Columbia Electric Supply, Inc., was empty at the time. Chemicals stored on the building’s grounds weren’t touched by the fire, the Taunton Fire Department said.

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Posted by dave statter on March 24, 2013 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Videos • Tagged: building collapse, building fire, collapse, Columbia Electrical Supply, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, electrical supply, EMS, EMT, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Usdin, Massachusetts, Oak Street, paramedic, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, structural collapse, structure fire, Taunton, Taunton Fire Department, three-alarm fire

Raw video: Firefighters searching for woman in strip club fire rescued by RIT. Watch collapse of building in Trenton, Ontario.

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In Trenton, Ontario two firefighters ran into a burning strip club searching for a woman believed trapped and ended up needing rescue themselves. Both firefighters were injured (another report says neither firefighter was hurt) and were brought out by a rapid intervention team. The fire was reported around 9:30 this morning. As you will see in the video above (at :43), the building collapsed about 90 minutes after firefighters arrived.

Ernst Kuglin, lfpress.com:

The three-story Sherwood Forest Inn collapsed just after 11 a.m. A series of explosions kept firefighters back and sent chunks of the building crashing onto several streets.

Two firefighters who ran into the building to find a woman believed to have been trapped on the third floor were later pulled out by fellow firefighters.

After the firefighters were rescued, officials interviewed residents of the building to try to determine if there really was a woman trapped inside the building.

Police later located the woman in question, safe and sound.

Posted by dave statter on November 5, 2012 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: building collapse, building fire, catastrophic collapse, close call, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, EMT, explosion, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters hurt, firefighters injured, firefighters rescued, firefighters trapped, firefighting, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Usdin, Ontario, paramedic, rescue, sellfiretrucks.com, Sherwood Forest Inn, STATter911.com, strip club, strippers, structure fire, Trenton, Trenton fire, woman trapped

Hurricane Sandy – Wind, Water & Fire: Must see videos as the the crane folds, structures crumble, trees topple & buildings burn.

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This video above is my favorite so far. It appears to have been taken somewhere in New York State. A teenager happened to be shooting from his front window when three trees came tumbling down, taking power lines with it and starting a fire on the street.

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More storm coverage from Firegeezer.com

My hats off to all those who responded and are still responding to storm related calls. Word from Connecticut is that one firefighter was killed during a storm response. FireCritic.com and Firefighter Close Calls have initial details about the death of an Easton VFC firefighter who was apparently struck by a tree.

Much of the afternoon and evening we followed the story of the construction crane that collapsed at 157 West 57th Street in Manhattan. The FDNY response went to four-alarms. Quite a few buildings were evacuated as the crane dangled over Midtown. The clip above shows the moment the wind takes hold of the crane and bends it.

Watch closely on the video above. It’s a little more subtle. FDNY was already on the scene when a gust of wind (at about :40) brings the front of this building down onto the sidewalk at 15th Street & 8th Avenue.

The video above is a fire at the Ocean Gate Market & Deli in Ocean Gate, New Jersey. From WOBM.com:

Mayor Paul Kennedy said it was a perfect storm of its own. “The power went out around 10 AM,” he told us. “That hampered our ability to pump water. Firefighters began drafting water out of Barnegat Bay.”

Click here for more video from the fire.

A wind swept small structure fire in Haverford Township, Pennsylvania

In the video above a Con Ed facility lights up during the storm.

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Posted by dave statter on October 30, 2012 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Major Incidents, must see video, News, Videos • Tagged: Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay, building collapse, building fire, caught on video, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Con Ed, crane, crane bends, crane crumbles, Dave Statter, east coast, EMS, EMT, explosion, facade collapses, FDNY, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, frankenstorm, Glenn Usdin, Haverford, high winds, house fire, hurricane, Manhattan, New Jersey, New York, Ocean Gate, Ocean Gate fire, paramedic, Pennsylvania, power failure, power plant, Sandy, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, storm, structure fire, trees fall

Arrangements for Philadelphia Fire Department Lt. Robert Neary & Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, Ladder 10.

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Previous coverage here, here & here

Image and information from IAFF Local 22′s website:

DEATH OF LIEUTENANT ROBERT NEARY

It is with deep regret that the Department announces the death of Lieutenant Robert Neary, assigned to Ladder 10, Platoon “C”. Lieutenant Neary, a veteran with over 37 years of service, died in the line of duty Monday, April 9, 2012.

All off-duty officers and members are invited to attend the services in uniform. Uniform of the day will be Class “A” Dress, with blouse coat and cap.

VIEWING AND MEMORIAL:
Friday, April 13, 2012 1600 Hours Givnish Funeral Home 10975 Academy Road Philadelphia, PA 19154

ADDITIONAL VIEWING:
Saturday, April 14, 2012 1700 Hours – 2000 Hours Givnish Funeral Home 10975 Academy Road Philadelphia, PA 19154

INTERMENT: Private
Members attending the viewing and memorial on Friday, April 13, 2012, who wish to be part of the formation will report to BC Michael Yaeger at 1430 hours in front of the Givnish Funeral Home. Archbishop Ryan High School will be available for the overflow parking.

DEATH OF FIREFIGHTER DANIEL SWEENEY

It is with deep regret that the Department announces the death of Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, assigned to Ladder 10, Platoon “C”. Firefighter Sweeney, a veteran of almost 6 years of service, died in the line of duty on Monday, April 9, 2012, while on duty.

All off-duty officers and members are invited to attend the services in uniform. Uniform of the day will be Class “A” Dress, with blouse coat and cap.

VIEWING: Friday, April 13, 2012 1900 Hours – 2100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church 535 Rhawn Street Philadelphia, PA 19111 Saturday, April 14, 2012 0900 Hours – 1100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church

SERVICE: Saturday, April 14, 2012
1100 Hours St. Cecilia’s Church 535 Rhawn Street Philadelphia, PA 19111

INTERMENT: Saturday, April 14, 2012
Immediately following the Service Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 4001 W. Cheltenham Avenue Philadelphia, PA

Members attending the viewing and service on Saturday, April 14, 2012 who wish to be part of the formation will report to BC Albert Anderson at 0845 Hours in front of St. Cecilia’s Church.

Posted by dave statter on April 11, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, News • Tagged: 5-alarm fire, building collapse, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Daniel Sweeney, Dave Statter, David Sweeney, EMS, EMT, fallen firefighter, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters dead, firefighters hurt, firefighters killed, firefighting, fireifghters killed, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, Francis Chaney, Glenn Usdin, injured firefighters, Jasper Street, Kensington, Lloyd Ayers, Mayor Nutter, paramedic, Pat Nally, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philly, rescue, Robert Neary, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, wall collapse, York Street

Retired Philly Captain David Sweeney talks about his son. Firefighter Daniel Sweeney and Lt. Robert Neary remembered. Additional fireground audio.

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IAFF Local 22

Philadelphia Fire Department

Engine 7, Ladder 10 Facebook page

Yesterday’s coverage here & here

WTXF:

The father of 25 year old firefighter Daniel Sweeney remembering his only son, a 6 year firefighter who graduated from Bishop Mcdevitt before joining the fire department.

David Sweeney knows all to well the dangers his son faced rushing into a burning building. He was a former fire captain recently retiring after 36 years with the department.

Above is additional fireground audio. This clip, from PhillyFireNews.com, starts when the fire was brought under control about 30-minutes before the collapse at the furniture store.

Philly.com:

Neary, a 37-year veteran, was close to the end of his tenure. He recently had applied for the city’s Deferred Retirement Option Program so he could leave within the next four years and spend time with his wife and three children – and his boat – at the Shore.

The two injured firefighters, Francis Chaney and Pat Nally, were taken to Temple University Hospital. Chaney, 43, was treated and released.

Nally, 25, required CPR at the scene of the fire. He remained in the intensive care unit in guarded condition Monday, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

WPVI-TV:

A Lieutenant since 1983, Robert Neary had been awarded four unit citations in his career. He was a Philadelphia police officer for three years before joining the fire department, and served as an Army reservist for 10 years, where he attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. Neary leaves behind his wife, Diane, and their three children.

Daniel Sweeney is the son of retired Philadelphia Fire Captain David Sweeney. Daniel joined the fire department in July of 2006 and had been awarded two unit citations during his time in service.

Posted by dave statter on April 10, 2012 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Major Incidents, News, Rescues, Videos • Tagged: 5-alarm fire, building collapse, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Daniel Sweeney, Dave Statter, David Sweeney, EMS, EMT, fallen firefighter, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters dead, firefighters hurt, firefighters killed, firefighting, fireifghters killed, Fires, FireTruckBlog.com, Francis Chaney, Glenn Usdin, injured firefighters, Jasper Street, Kensington, Lloyd Ayers, Mayor Nutter, paramedic, Pat Nally, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philly, rescue, Robert Neary, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, wall collapse, York Street

Must see videos: Collapse of large apartment building in Astrakhan, Russia. At least 8 dead after natural gas explosion.

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Make sure you also check out the video below. It is raw video from a neighboring apartment showing close-up the damage on the lower floors after the explosion. At 2:22 in this clip the major collapse occurs.

DailyMail.uk:

This was the moment a blast ripped through an old Soviet-style block in southern Russia today sending it crashing down like a house of cards.

The nine-storey building in the city of Astrakhan, 800 miles south east of Moscow, collapsed in an explosion believed to be caused by natural gas.

The Moscow Times:

A witness told the news agency (Interfax) that the bottom floors were destroyed initially, followed by those above, causing rescuers to be trapped in the rubble.

"First there was an explosion, approximately in the area of the second or third floor, and the second and third floors collapsed — the wall came down. I saw two people scramble out of there. We crawled in to help, and at that moment the other floors collapsed. I saw two people get buried, and another few who went in there remained inside," the unnamed witness said.

Investigators said the explosion was likely the result of a suicide attempt by a man living on the third floor who had threatened to kill himself on multiple occasions in the past.

RT.com:

Emergency workers say they have located eight bodies but have so far been able to extract only two. Identification of the bodies is underway. Meanwhile, rescue workers are continuing to sift through the rubble for the missing.

A total of 26 people have so far been rescued. Two children were among 15 people injured. Five remain in hospital, some with serious fractures and other injuries.

The Emergency Ministry has sent a second plane to Asktrakhan bringing more rescue officers and search dogs. The plane is equipped with two medical modules to facilitate the evacuation of the seriously injured.

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Posted by dave statter on February 28, 2012 • Filed under: Command & Leadership, EMS Health & Safety, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, HazMat, must see video, News, Videos • Tagged: Astrakhan, building collapse, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, Emergency Ministry, EMS, EMT, explosion, fire, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighting, Glenn Usdin, must see, natural gas, paramedic, Russia, search, search and rescue, search operations, sellfiretrucks.com, Southern Russia, Soviet style block, STATter911.com

LAFD’s Glenn L. Allen honored on the red carpet at the Oscars. Rescue Me, Backdraft’s Jack McGee says Allen helped his wife.

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Previous coverage of FF Glenn Allen here, here, here & here

Jack McGee is a former FDNY firefighter who is well known to firefighters for his roles in Rescue Me and Backdraft. At the Academy Awards yesterday after his recent part in The Fighter, McGee was wearing his firefighter’s badge covered with a black stripe in honor of Firefighter Glenn L. Allen of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Allen was buried on Friday after being killed a week earlier when the ceiling of a burning Hollywood Hills home collapsed. In the video above, McGee explains how Firefighter Allen had helped his injured wife, Stephanie McGee, who had fallen during a hike.

Posted by dave statter on February 28, 2011 • Filed under: In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Los Angeles County Fire Department, News, Videos • Tagged: Antonio Villaraigosa, backdraft, building collapse, California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, church, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters down, FireTruckBlog.com, funeral, funeral procession, Glenn Allen, Glenn L. Allen, Glenn Usdin, Hollywood Hills, injured firefighters, Jack McGee, line of duty death, live coverage, LODD, Los Angeles, mayday, memorial, Millage Peaks, N. Viewside Drive, paramedic, reality show, rescue me, roof collapse, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Stephanie McGee, The Fighter, Viewside Drive

Live coverage, funeral for Firefighter Glenn L. Allen, Los Angeles Fire Department

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Posted by dave statter on February 25, 2011 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: Antonio Villaraigosa, building collapse, California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, church, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters down, FireTruckBlog.com, funeral, funeral procession, Glenn Allen, Glenn L. Allen, Glenn Usdin, Hollywood Hills, injured firefighters, line of duty death, live coverage, LODD, Los Angeles, mayday, memorial, Millage Peaks, N. Viewside Drive, paramedic, reality show, roof collapse, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Viewside Drive

Home where LAFD’s Glenn Allen died is now a crime scene. Was to be backdrop for reality show. Funeral today.

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Live coverage of funeral for Firefighter Glenn Allen underway here & here

Previous coverage of this story here & here

The LAPD made it clear yesterday that arson has been ruled out in the fire last week that killed Firefighter Glenn Allen. But the circumstances surrounding the death of the 61-year-old Los Angeles firefighter’s death are still a part of an investigation that involves homicide detectives. The home is considered a crime scene with police on the scene around the clock.

News reports indicate that one angle being explored is the role the construction of the 12,500-square-foot home played in this tragedy. The home was to be the backdrop for a German reality TV show starring Heidi Klum similar to ”America’s Next Top Model”.

Here’s what the Los Angeles Times reports:

Sources told The Times that there is no evidence that the fire was intentionally set, but investigators are trying to determine whether the recently rebuilt house was constructed properly and in a sound and legal manner.

Firefighter Glenn L. Allen, Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD photo of Firefighter Glenn L. Allen.

Previous coverage of the fire in Hollywood Hills

Just after noon today Firefighter Glenn L. Allen passed away at the Cedars Sinai Medical Center. The 61-year-old Allen was a 38-year veteran of the Los Angeles Fire Department and was to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild this week. According to news reports his daughter is expected to give birth to a boy on Saturday.

Here is the announcement from the LAFD News and Information Blog:

It is with great sadness that the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department inform you of the in Line of Duty Death of Los Angeles Firefighter Glenn Allen.

On Wednesday February 16, 2011, at 1119 hours ten fire companies, one heavy rescue, one USAR unit, seven rescue ambulances, seven battalion command teams, one division command team, three EMS battalion captains, and one arson unit responded to a reported structure Fire at 1546 North Viewsite Drive in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.

While Firefighters were performing their sworn duties, a partial ceiling collapse occurred, causing injury to four Los Angeles Firefighters and two Los Angeles County Firefighters. One of the injured Los Angeles Firefighters later succumbed to his injuries at 1215 hrs on Friday, February 18, 2011 at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

As dictated by Fire Department policy, a formal and detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact nature of the cause of injuries sustained, as well as the precise cause and manner of the Firefighters death.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank you for your kind words and sentiment at this time of overwhelming sorrow and immense loss.

The Allen Family and the Los Angeles Fire Department has received a tremendous outpouring of support during this difficult time. Your Firefighters wish to thank you and express our deepest appreciation for all the kind words and gestures that have been provided.

Posted by dave statter on February 18, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, In the Line of Duty, Line of Duty, Los Angeles Fire Department, Major Incidents, News • Tagged: Antonio Villaraigosa, building collapse, California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters down, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Allen, Glenn L. Allen, Glenn Usdin, Hollywood Hills, injured firefighters, line of duty death, LODD, Los Angeles, mayday, Millage Peaks, N. Viewside Drive, paramedic, roof collapse, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Viewside Drive

UPDATED (new videos, new info & fireground audio & video added): Veteran Los Angeles firefighter fighting for his life. Collapse at Hollywood Hills home injures 6.

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A collapse at a Hollywood Hills house fire injured six firefighters around midnight. One of the firefighters is reported in grave condition.. The Los Angeles Fire Department held a press conference before dawn. Four of the firefighters are from LAFD, two are from Los Angeles County.

UPDATE (1:46 PM PST) from Devin Gales at LAFD Alert:

*UPDATE: 1561 N Viewsite Dr.* *FIRE WITH FIREFIGHTER INJURY* * LAFD firefighter is still in grave condition; family and Department members are by his side; one other firefighter is listed in good condition; two others were treated and released; LAFD Fire Chief awaiting additional information from doctors at Cedars-Siani Medical Center.

From KNBC-TV (7:54 AM PST):

A veteran Los Angeles city firefighter who was close to retirement was injured early Thursday after a ceiling collapsed during a blaze at a two-story Hollywood Hills home.

Firefighters were on the roof of the home when it collapsed, Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Tina Haro said. Colleagues had to use chainsaws to gain access to the critically injured firefighter and pull him out.



The audio above is not an official recording from LAFD. It is provided from radioreference.com via firefighterdispatch at YouTube.com. Gaps between transmissions have been removed compressing the time. The alert to the collapse occurs at 16:54 on this recording. This comment was submitted by LAFD Firefighter/Specialist Brian Humphrey this evening- ”David, Thank you for sharing word of this incident with your audience. As mentioned elsewhere (and as is our protocol), we wish to clarify that the authenticity and integrity of this amateur recording has not been validated. We will strive to keep you and your readers apprised of developments related to this incident in the hours, days and weeks to come. Fraternally Yours in Safety and Service.”

“He is fighting for his life at this time, he’s in grave condition,” Haro said. “The other firefighters are doing well.”

Two firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and three from the Los Angeles City Fire Department were injured, but are in good condition, Haro said.

From the AP via Firefighter Nation:

The fire apparently started in a fireplace but spread to the walls and attic, making the flames difficult to douse, Haro said.

“We kind of chased the fire around for a while, trying to find it,” she said.

Unbeknownst to firefighters, the fire had burned through sprinkler pipes in the attic and filled the space with water, Haro said.

The weight collapsed a drop ceiling held in place by 2-by-4-inch wood struts, Haro said.

“The ceiling came down in huge piece,” striking two county and four city firefighters, she said.

“Our rapid intervention teams came in and they could see his turnout coat under the rubble,” Haro said.

From KABC-TV:

Six firefighters were injured when a ceiling of one floor of a house in the Hollywood Hills collapsed on them while battling a house fire.

The fire broke out around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday on the 1500 block of North Viewsite Drive.

Neighbors said the house was recently built to showcase its spectacular view. It took firefighters about nine minutes to reach the three-story, 6,000-square-foot home. Firefighters worked on the ceiling, which was where the flames were coming from.

“Firefighters were in the process of gaining access to the fire. It was in the ceiling area, between the ceiling and the roof and the attic space and behind a wall near a fireplace,” said Los Angeles City Fire Dep. Chief Mario Rueda.

KTLA-TV has the latest (5:45 AM PST):

The fire appears to have started near a fireplace and then extended into the attic, according to L.A. City Fire Deputy Chief Mario Rueda.

Firefighters were on the roof trying to extinguish the flames when the ceiling collapsed, Rueda said.

One firefighter was taken out of the home on a stretcher. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in grave condition.

Earlier from KTLA-TV:

Six firefighters were hurt battling a huge fire at a home in the Hollywood Hills early Thursday morning.

The fire broke out around midnight at an upscale home in the 1500 block of N. Viewside Drive.

One firefighter was taken out of the home on a stretcher. He sustained serious injuries, and was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

The owner of the home told KTLA he woke up to the sound of sprinklers, and that it was a neighbor who initially saw the flames and smoke and called 911.

Posted by dave statter on February 17, 2011 • Filed under: Administration & Leadership, Command & Leadership, EMS Topics, fire, Fire Rescue Topics, Firefighter Safety & Health, Firefighting Operations, Fires, Los Angeles Fire Department, News • Tagged: building collapse, California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, collapse, Command Fire Apparatus, Dave Statter, EMS, EMT, Fire Truck Blog, firefighter, firefighters down, FireTruckBlog.com, Glenn Usdin, Hollywood Hills, injured firefighters, Los Angeles, mayday, N. Viewside Drive, paramedic, roof collapse, sellfiretrucks.com, STATter911.com, Viewside Drive

UPDATE: Chicago Fire Department now confirms the deaths of two firefighters in building collapse. 19 others injured. Fireground audio from this morning’s mayday.

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CFD’s Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer remembered

AlertPage.net fireground audio (first 90 minutes) of this morning’s mayday (around 8:10 in the audio)

WLS-TV slideshow from chopper

Live CFD audio here and here

Firefighter Close Calls

More of today’s fire and EMS news from STATter911.com

Information coming in from various Chicago news outlets this morning of a collapse at a fire in the 1700 block of East 75th Street. The fire was reported just before 7:00 AM CST.

UPDATE at 12:03 CST from WFLD-TV:

Two firefighters were killed, and 14 others were hurt — six critically — after four were trapped in a vacant burning building on Chicago’s South Side Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Fire Media Affairs Dir. Larry Langford confirmed two firefighters were killed in the blaze. One died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, while the other died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He did not immediately have information on their rank or which fire company they came from.

Fire Dept. Commissioner Robert Hoff is expected to give an update and provide information on the deceased firefighters at Christ Medical Center, Langford said.

UPDATE at 9:53 CST: At 9:39 AM ChicagoBreakingNews.com reported the following-

Two firefighters died after a wall collapsed during a 3-11 alarm fire at an abandoned South Side commercial building this morning, authorities said.

Police squad cars escorted two ambulances north on Lake Shore Drive to Northwestern as ramps were closed to clear it of traffic, according to fire communications. One of the firefighters taken there has died, sources said. The condition of the other one was not known.

A third trapped firefighter was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died.

The fourth firefighter buried in the rubble, and as many as 11 other firefighters, were also taken to hospitals. Their conditions were not available.

At about 9:50 CST Commissioner Robert Hoff confirmed that 16 firefighters were injured with six serious to critical. He would not confirm the fatalities that WGN-TV says have been confirmed by the medical examiner. Commissioner Huff said he would provide an update from the hospital.

Latest from MyFoxChicago at 8:50 AM CST:

On the 100-year anniversary of the Union Stockyards fire that claimed the lives of 21 Chicago firemen, 10 ambulances were sent to a fire on the South Side, where four firefighters were trapped in an abandoned dry cleaners building Wednesday morning. As of 8:35 a.m., we’re getting word that the fourth firefighter has been found.

Two firefighters were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital about 7:30 a.m. with a police escort all the way up Lake Shore Drive.

A third firefighter was taken to Christ Medical Center. No word yet on the condition of the fourth firefighter.

The chaplain is at Northwestern hospital, which is indicative of the serious situation for one or two of the firefighters. We have no official information on the status of the firefighters.

From ChicagoBreakingNews.com:

Four firefighters were trapped this morning when a wall collapsed in a fire at an abandoned South Side commercial building, authorities said.

Two were quickly rescued and rescue operations were continuing for the other two.

The conditions of the firefighters was not known.

The fire was raised to two and then three alarms to save the trapped firefighters. Firefighters also reported having problems with frozen hydrants.

From WLS-TV:

On the South Side Wednesday morning, dozens of firefighters were at the scene of a three-alarm fire on East 75th Street near Stony Island.



From WGN-TV.

Reports say part of a wall collapsed in the building fire, trapping four firefighters.

Emergency crews were working to rescue the firefighters.

Posted by dave statter on December 22, 2010 • Filed under: Uncategorized • Tagged: 75th Street, Bob Hoff, bow string truss, building collapse, Chicago, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago1222, Cook County, Corey Ankum, Daley, DCFD.com, Illinois, Richard Daley, Richard M, Robert Hoff, Robert Stringer, Stony Island, three-alarms, trapped firefighter, wall collapse

Must see video: Collapse & small explosions at Stroud Township, Pennsylvania truck parts store. Water supply & hunting season cited as issues.

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Read entire Pocono Record article

This is a fire from yesterday morning on West Main Street in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. The video is NOT in chronological order. It shows a couple of small explosions at the :08 point and then at :48 there is a wall collapse. There were no injuries.

Nine residents lived in the four apartments above Cypher Truck Parts. Here are excerpts from the Pocono Record’s article by Andrew Scott:

Fewer available volunteers due to the opening day of hunting season, low water pressure and exploding combustibles were among the challenges firefighters faced in battling a fire that destroyed a prominent Stroud Township business Monday.

Image from Pocono Record video

Stroud Township, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg and Pocono Township firefighters, along with ambulance crews, began arriving as Stroud Area Regional and fire police closed that section of West Main to non-emergency traffic.

“We’ve gotta hit the interior and then attack the roof,” one fire officer told another.

The fire at first seemed manageable and contained to the front apartment where it had started. But, as the morning wore on, it became clear the fire had spread beyond that apartment to the rest of the upper level as flames shot through the roof and smoke began pouring out of windows in the rear.

A firefighter appeared through one of the rear upper-level windows and began yelling for fellow volunteers to bring a ladder around back.

“Watch those wires,” another firefighter shouted when the top of the ladder almost touched one of the power lines to the building.

“One thing working against us is that the water mains in this part of town are older and give lower water pressure,” (Stroud Township Fire Chief Dave) Smalley said at one point.