The Public Memorial Service will be held at Reliant Stadium, Wednesday, June 5 at 1000 hours (10:00 A.M.). All uniformed fire department personnel participating in the Wednesday memorial procession must be at Reliant Stadium no later than 7:00 a.m. Please enter the stadium area from Fannin at the Naomi entrance. Park in front of Reliant Arena in the “maroon” lot. From there, firefighters are asked to proceed on foot to the “blue” parking lot to form march. March will start promptly at 8:00 a.m.
The Procession Route for the Wednesday march will begin in the “blue” lot at Reliant Stadium, then proceed on the westbound 610 feeder road to Kirby, then north on Kirby to McNee Road, and then turning right into the north side of the Reliant complex.
Funeral Services for the fallen have been scheduled. The families have requested that all funeral services be kept private (family and HFD personnel only). Members are encouraged to watch their HFD and personal e-mail accounts for details.
Fire Fighters and family coming from out of town are encouraged to contact the following hotels for special rates:
Marriott – Medical Center $109.00 (Government) Rate 800-228-9290
Royal Sonesta $75.00 Rate: “Hero” www.royalsonesta.com
Holiday Inn – Houston Reliant Park $109.00 (Government) Rate: “Houston Firefighters Local 341″ (32 rooms available) Contact: Tye Hochstrasser or Maggie Cruz 713-790-1900
Crowne Plaza - Houston $79.00 Rate (includes Breakfast): “Local 341″ Contact: Jerry Mathers 713-748-3221 or 1-800 number through web site
Wyndham – Medical Center $95.00 Rate Contact: Mary Jane Manshouri 713-577-1236
The Houston Fire Department is saddened and deeply regrets to list the following members who gave the ultimate sacrifice from a fire in Southwest Houston this afternoon:
· Captain EMT Matthew Renaud (35) of Engine 68. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2001 and in addition to Fire Station 68, has served out of stations 51, 39, 83, 73, 37, 60 and 35.
· Probationary Firefighter Anne Sullivan (24) of Station 68. She graduated from Houston Fire Department Academy this past April and was assigned to Station 68.
· Firefighter EMT Robert Garner (29) of Station 68. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in October of 2010 and has served out of Fire Station 68 since.
· Engineer Operator EMT Robert Bebee (41) of Station 51. He began his career with the Houston Fire Department in August of 2001 and in addition to Station 51, has served out of stations 37, 40, 10 and 48.
There were also 5 firefighters initially transported to the hospital for injuries ranging from heat exhaustion to critical injuries.
· Captain William Dowling of Engine 68 is listed in critical condition.
The other firefighters are:
· Engineer Operator Anthony Livesay on Rescue 42;
· Firefighter EMT Robert Yarbrough on Rescue 42;
· Firefighter EMT Foster Santos on Rescue 11;
· Engineer Operator/Paramedic Marcus Hernandez on Medic 3;
· and Captain William Dowling on Engine 68.
Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with not only those friends and family of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice today but also those who were injured and all members of our department.
We appreciate your patience. We wanted to make sure all family members were notified of their loved-ones passing and injuries prior to informing our members.
What started as a small restaurant fire – a bit of business faced daily by firefighters everywhere – turned into a motel- engulfing inferno that claimed the lives of four responders from the Houston Fire Department when part of the building collapsed on them Friday. It was the department’s worst loss of life ever.
“We arrived on the scene and about 14 minutes after our arrival we had a mayday,” said HFD Chief Terry Garrison.
In an instant or close to it, a group of firefighters who had put themselves in deliberate jeopardy out of concern that people might be trapped inside the Southwest Inn were buried in burning debris. The precise series of events is at the heart of an investigation to be led by ATF specialists, who arrived at the scene later in the day. But the gist of it was clear in seconds.
“We had an early and quick catastrophic failure of the roof,” Garrison said. “There’s no way that I would have anticipated that we would lose four firefighters. I want to tell the residents of Houston their firefighters acted absolutely courageously today, that there was probably a dozen acts of heroism on that scene.”
Four firefighters died in a five-alarm blaze that broke out at a restaurant Friday afternoon along U.S. 59 in southwest Houston, according to the mayor’s office.
Five firefighters were also reported injured, two critically, while fighting the blaze.
Four Houston firefighters died Friday while battling a 5-alarm blaze in a motel near the Southwest Freeway at Hillcroft. The bodies of three were found in the rubble of the Southwest Inn motel. A fourth apparently died at the hospital.
Sources say the search continues for others who haven’t been accounted for, but it’s not clear if they are firefighters.
In a heartwrenching scene, several firefighters gathered around a flag-draped casket in the middle of the burnt-out motel.
Six firefighters were rushed by ambulances to area hospitals. Medics were performing CPR on one of them as he was put into an ambulance.
At least one of the injured firefighters is in very critical condition, according to an HFD captain at the scene. He is at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. Two others were taken to Memorial Hermann Southwest, just blocks from the fire. Two more went to Memorial Hermann Northwest. They are reportedly in good condition.
Three people died in a five-alarm blaze that broke out at a restaurant Friday afternoon along U.S. 59 in southwest Houston, according to the Harris County medical examiner’s office.
Six firefighters were reported injured, two critically, while fighting the blaze. The conditions of the injured are not available. It is unclear whether the fatalities are in addition to the injured.
Vanessa Trevino, supervisory forensic investigator with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences said, “We do have three confirmed dead on scene.” She could not confirm any details about identities or occupation of the victims.
There has been a mayday in connection with this fire ongoing in Houston, Texas. Four five six firefighters are reported injured. News reports indicate CPR being done on at least one firefighter. At the initial press briefing at 1:25PM CDT an official reported four firefighters became lost. The rapid intervention team went in. All four have been found. Two are in critical condition.
About 20 minutes later KPRC-TV reported the following:
Officials said at least five firefighters have been transported to the hospital. Two of them are listed critical and two are listed at extremely critical. The fifth firefighter suffered a leg injury.
The fire broke out at Bhojan Restaurant at 6855 Southwest Freeway at about 12:09 p.m. and engulfed the neighboring Southwest Inn along the inbound Southwest Freeway near Hornwood, according to the Houston Fire Department. The flames also burned a sports bar and disco.
Jeff Caynon, president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said he understood from field reports that the firefighters had been injured in a roof collapse.
“The roof collapsed. I don’t know if that was folks outside next to the structure or inside when it collapsed, but the collapse is going to be the cause,” Canyon said.
The fire broke out just before 12:30pm at the Southwest Inn along the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft.
An HFD spokesperson says four firefighters had become lost, but all have since been recovered. Two of them are in critical condition, and two are in extremely critical condition. All four have been transported to area hospitals.
We’re hearing that a fifth firefighter injured his knee and was also taken to an area hospitals.
A five alarm fire broke out shortly after noon Friday, blowing smoke across the Southwest Freeway near Hillcroft and slowing traffic in both directions.
At least six firefighters were rushed by ambulances to area hospitals. Medics were performing CPR on one of them as he was put in an ambulance.
At least two of the injured firefighters are in critical condition, according to an HFD captain at the scene. He said earlier that four were critical. Two are at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. The other four were taken to Southwest Memorial Hospital, just blocks from the fire.
There’s no word on whether motel guests and employees have been accounted for.
Earlier this morning we showed you aerial drone video from this fire in Detroit yesterday evening that injured firefighters. One of our regular readers, who reliably sends us good material, spotted what I missed. A videographer with WDIV-TV was rolling when two firefighters were showered and seriously injured by falling bricks. One firefighter was on a ground ladder the other, who was more seriously injured, was footing the ladder.
The two-alarm fire was in a commercial building at East Ferry and Chene on Detroit’s East side. WDIV reports four firefighters were hurt during the blaze and according to the TV station firefighters transported them to the hospital aboard fire trucks rather than wait for EMS.
Two firefighters were badly injured by falling debris – it was caught on camera. Local 4 cameras were rolling as pieces of a roof came crashing down on top of a firefighter on a ladder. Below him, it’s discovered that debris also hit a firefighter on the ground. With two firefighters injured, you could see the frantic effort fellow firefighters made to drag the firefighter on the ground out of harm’s way. That firefighter appeared knocked out – but then he opened his eyes. Bricks came crashing down on top of the firefighter on the ladder, knocking his helmet off, his head battered by debris. He looked stunned. They are both hospitalized in serious condition with what is described as closed head injuries.
Harry Arnold (itvdetroit) of DetroitDrone.com sent us his unique video from yesterday evening’s two-alarm fire in Detroit that left two firefighters injured from falling bricks. Plus, there were news reports of water and apparatus issues at this fire that seem to crop up at many Detroit fires.
Two firefighters were seriously injured during a commercial fire on the east side of Detroit.
The fire started on the first floor inside The Ideal Market around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Fire crews had water issues either with their trucks or the fire hydrant which allowed the fire to quickly spread through the building and get out of control.
One of the firefighters stood at the top of a ladder and busted out windows while the other firefighter stood on the ground to support him. Hot bricks from the roof fell on top of them both.
The firefighter on the ground was more seriously hurt than the one at the top of the ladder. A lieutenant on the scene told us he believes the oxygen tank on the back of the firefighter on the ladder took the brunt of the bricks falling on him. The other firefighter had to be dragged to safety. The firefighters were taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital.
The crews had other issues when one of their fire trucks broke down because it started leaking oil. The senior chief on the scene said he did not believe the oil leak caused them serious problems because he believes the fire was under control by the time the truck broke down.
Broadcastify.com audio via firefighterdispatch from a fire reported around 6:30 this morning on Linden Street in Boston, Massachusetts. There are two separate maydays on the audio. One at 9:50 and the other at 22:00. The pictures on this page are from the Boston Fire Department.
AP:
The Boston Fire Department says a house fire in the city’s Allston neighborhood has killed one person and injured 15 people, including six firefighters.
Steve MacDonald, a spokesman for the Fire Department, said the fire at the 2-1/2- story wood frame house was reported at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
He says none of the injuries to the firefighters or residents were life-threatening and all firefighters were treated and released. Some of the residents remained hospitalized late Sunday afternoon.
One firefighter fell through a second-story floor while another fell down the stairs, Boston Fire spokesman Steve MacDonald said.
One resident jumped from the upper floors while three others were taken down ladders. An BFD aerial tower was unable to reach the upper floors because of power lines, MacDonald said.
“It got so bad that the chief ordered everyone out of the building,” MacDonald said. “One resident told us someone was missing. We could not make entry. We knew there was a good possibility we would find someone inside.”
Above is a follow-up story by WNBC-TV which answers the questions many of our readers have been asking about the possible backdraft on Sunday that injured five firefighters in Harrison, New Jersey. There has been lots of discussion over a woman seen in the videos handling a hose and a man on a ladder, both without PPE. This story verifies the answers provided by other readers that these were volunteer firefighters who responded directly to the scene. The answer in the news story comes from union officials who talk about the severe cuts the Harrison Fire Department has faced and its possible impact on this fire and explosion.
Video above from Andy T of yesterday’s fire in Harrison, New Jersey that injured five firefighters in an explosion described by fire officials as a backdraft. This view of the explosion (at 6:50) isn’t as dramatic, but the video provides a lot better view of the fireground prior to the explosion. There is more video from Andy T here and here.
Below is some even earlier video shot by a neighbor.
The fire, which started around 11 a.m., is believed to have started in the kitchen area of a restaurant located at 600 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. in Harrison. According to Fire Director Harold Stahl, the fire heavily damaged two buildings, 600-602 and 604-606 Rodgers Blvd. and an adjacent residence on Davis Avenue.
Stahl said that backdraft, which is caused by a buildup of unvented gasses inside an area, could have been much more dangerous.
“I’m a career firefighter and I’ve been caught in a backdraft,” Stahl said. “I’m very grateful that the injuries weren’t more serious.”
Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman said that the backdraft could have been prevented had the roof been vented, a process of putting holes in the roof that would allow the trapped gasses to escape.
Five firefighters were hurt in a terrifying explosion and extra-alarm blaze in Harrison, N.J., Sunday afternoon.
.. when the fire was at its height, a dangerous backdraft was caught on video, CBS 2’s Steve Langford reported. Backdrafts are an explosive phenomenon, and they are one of the worst things that can go wrong in a firefight.
One of those badly hurt when the backdraft erupted was a battalion chief.
“When that glass blew out, he got it all in his face and his body,” said Harrison fire Capt. Robert Gillen. “He was bleeding profusely.”
The fire appeared to have started at 600-602 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd., a two-story building at the corner of Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard North and Davis Street. It then spread next door to 604-606 Frank E. Rodgers, a two-story residential building.
Harrison officials still have not commented on the fire.
After the explosion occurred, at least two firefighters stumbled out of the building and one of them collapsed on the ground.
EMS and other firefighters rushed to help them. They were both placed in ambulances.
Video above by Newsworking’s Bill Rohrer from a fire early this morning at Youell’s Oyster House in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Here’s some of what Bill wrote about the fire:
Firefighters responded to a report of smoke from a restaurant at 4:20 AM today and on arrival found heavy smoke pushing from the Youell’s Oyster House at 23rd and Walnut Streets.
The fire escalated to 3 alarms. The fire consumed the entire structure. At 6:46 AM, a mayday went out when a wall collapsed on three firefighters.
Below is some of the radio traffic from Dan Clerico at NortheastBravest.com. You hear the mayday at the end of this video. There is more video at the bottom of this post from Jayson Wagner.
A multi-alarm fire destroyed Youell’s Oyster House restaurant in the west end of Allentown early Tuesday as firefighters struggled against sub-freezing temperatures and raging flames.
Five firefighters were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
Two firefighters who entered the burning structure at 2249 W. Walnut St. suffered burns and were treated and released from St. Luke’s Hospital-Allentown. Two other firefighters were injured when an exterior wall partially collapsed on them, and one firefighter slipped on the ice rushing to their aid.
Two firefighters from the Moraga-Orinda Fire District who have non-life threatening injuries were scheduled for surgery and a civilian is in critical condition after a vehicle ran into them on an Orinda, California highway on Sunday (Click here for press release from Moraga-Orinda Fire District).
Fire crews were investigating a series of rain-related crashes on Highway 24 near the Wilder Road exit when a, “A third car hit the side of our fire engine and then actually rolled onto the embankment and hit three of our firefighters and also the person we were taking the report from,” Chief Randy Bradley said.
Fire Captain Michael Rattery, and firefighters Kelly Morris and Stephen Rogness were rushed to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek with non-life threatening injuries.
The rollover was actually the third crash along Highway 24. Firefighters first responded to a single vehicle accident and parked their fire truck to shield them from traffic. A second vehicle hit the fire truck. Then, as firefighters were talking to that driver, an SUV hit the fire truck, flipping over and skidding into several people standing on the side of the road.
Above is helmet-cam video posted by Bryan Riley from yesterday’s fire in Great Mills, Maryland (St. Mary’s County) that involved a bailout and mayday and left two firefighters injured. Here is part of the description with the video:
Video from Engine 73 OIC Helmet Cam.
Video and Audio have been edited to clear dead space.
Engine 73 is from Hollywood VFD.
Earlier today, STATter911.com received a comment from Bay District VFD Chief Shawn M. Downs. Here’s part of what it said:
One FF was indeed flown to PG, however he was released around noon today. The other FF refused transport on the scene, and is recovering well. I am very thankful for the outpouring support that the Brotherhood has shown for my members. For all of the phone calls, texts and the like, many thanks!
These two will no doubt be back on our appartus by weeks end! Stay Safe Out There!
Below is a re-post of Brian Brown‘s earlier video of the fire that now includes audio. A special thanks to Brian for his assistance.
This comment was sent to STATter911.com from Bay District VFD Chief Shawn Downs:
All,
I want to update everyone on both of my guys. One FF was indeed flown to PG, however he was released around noon today. The other FF refused trasnport on the scene, and is recovering well. I am very thankful for the outpouring support that the Brotherhood has shown for my members. For all of the phone calls, texts and the like, many thanks!
These two will no doubt be back on our appartus by weeks end! Stay Safe Out There!
Shawn M Downs Fire Chief BDVFD
EARLIER
Video above from Brian Brown at a fire yesterday in the 21000 block of Garfield Street in Great Mills, Maryland (St. Mary’s County) where two firefighters were hurt. Firefighters from Bay District, PAX River, Hollywood and Valley Lee were dispatched to the home at 4:25 PM.
The bail out through a window behind the tree just to the right of the front porch occurs at about 4:50 in the video. Click through the series of still pictures at Southern Maryland News Net for a better view. The mayday is announced at 7:13 on the audio recording from ScanMD Fire & Rescue Solutions.
One firefighter was transported by Trooper 7 to an area trauma center for smoke inhalation. Another firefighter was treated and released at the scene for leg injuries after falling through the floor and then having to evacuate through a window. Bay District Fire Chief, Shawn Downs said “the firefighter that was taken to PG county is expected to be released tomorrow”
The explosion occurs about 9:30 into the audio recording below. None of the 18 taken to the hospital (half of them firefighters) was critically hurt.
Latest from WWLP-TV:
Columbia Gas crews informed Captain Cheryl Claprood that they are finding “higher than normal” levels of natural gas readings still underground some of the streets in the area. She did not know which specific streets, but she said it’s a concern as to whether or not there are further gas leaks.
A massive gas explosion destroyed a downtown Springfield bar, sent glass and bricks flying down Worthington Street, and injured several people, including nine Springfield firefighters and two police officers. Fortunately, all those injured are expected to survive.
“It really was a miracle on Worthington Street that no one was killed,” Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray said during a news conference in Springfield Friday night.
AP:
A natural gas explosion in one of New England’s biggest cities on Friday destroyed two buildings, including one housing a strip club, and damaged others beyond repair but didn’t kill anyone, authorities said.
“This is a miracle on Worthington Street that no one was killed,” Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said at a press conference.
Firefighters, police officers and gas company workers in the area because of an earlier gas leak and odor report were among more than a dozen injured people, authorities said.
The explosion in a downtown area of Springfield, 90 miles west of Boston, blew out all windows in a three-block radius, leaving three more buildings irreparably damaged and prompting emergency workers to evacuate a six-story apartment building that was buckling.
Police Sgt. John Delaney marveled at the destruction at the blast’s epicenter, where a multistory building was leveled.
“It looks like there was a missile strike here,” he said.
Officials at two nearby hospitals said a total of 16 victims were transported there with injuries but none was critical.
Firefighters responded to the scene at 4:20 p.m. and were investigating the gas leak when the blast happened shortly after 5 p.m. The cause of the explosion hadn’t been identified but was under investigation, they said.
Springfield, which has about 150,000 residents, is the largest city in western Massachusetts. It’s known as the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame, which is not in the vicinity of the blast.
The explosion, in an area of downtown Springfield with commercial properties and residences, destroyed a building that housed a Scores Gentlemen’s Club.
Area resident Wayne Davis said he felt his apartment building shake a block away.
“I was laying down in bed, and I started feeling the building shaking and creaking,” he said.
The Navy veteran said the boom from the explosion was louder than anything he’d ever heard, including the sound of a jet landing on an aircraft carrier.
The blast was so loud it was heard for miles around. Video from WWLP-TV showed the moment of the explosion, with smoke billowing into the air above the neighborhood.
Mayor Domenic Sarno said it was through “God’s mercy” that nobody had been reported killed in the explosion.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the individuals that have been injured and the people who have been displaced,” he said, adding that emergency shelter was being set up for those unable to go home.
On the day they buried Capt. Herbie Johnson, a veteran TV anchor used his commentary section to urge city leaders to work out a new contract with Chicago firefighters. Here’s an excerpt:
We owe his memory, and his fellows, some payback – and the respect of a new contract. They’ve been saving lives without a contract for four and a half months.
City Hall, skimping on a contract, aiming to take away the firefighter clothing allowance and holiday pay and physical fitness incentive. Don’t do that, don’t insult Capt. Johnson’s memory. Think about him, feel for him.
This is video just uploaded yesterday that a neighbor shot of Friday’s house fire that took the life of Chicago Fire Department Capt. Herbie Johnson. The fire occurred at 2315 W. 50th Place and also injured Firefighter Ryan Woods. Click here for our previous coverage of the fire.
A Chicago fire captain has died from injuries suffered while battling a South Side house fire, the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in nearly two years.
Capt. Herbie Johnson (l) with Commissioner Jose Santiago in CFD picture.
Captain Herbie Johnson, 54, was a 33-year veteran of the department. He had just been promoted from lieutenant this summer during a ceremony at Navy Pier.
Fire department spokesman Larry Langford said Friday’s fire was in the attic of the two-story frame house. He said the firefighters were injured during a possible “flashover” of flames.
“He was the best, he was the best guy,’’ said Chicago Fire Dept. Lt. Steve O’Malley who was relieved by the 54-year-old Johnson this morning about 6 a.m. from Engine 123, Tower Ladder 39, on 51st Street after O’Malley had worked the 48 hour shift.
“He was his usual crazy self, laughing,’’ said O’Malley of the Johnson. “He always had a smile on his face,’’ said O’Malley, whose voice was quaking with emotion during a telephone interview after hearing the news from another firefighter that he passed.
Johnson died at the U. of C. emergency room. Paramedics had to perform CPR on him at the scene, said Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
Johnson was assigned to Engine Co. 123 in Back of the Yards for the night, but normally worked from firehouses all around the city.
As Ahlheim spoke near the hospital tonight, Chicago Fire Department Truck No. 16 sat at the corner of 58th Street and Drexel Avenue with its ladder extended to mid-air and the roar of its engine sounding, a ritual saluting fallen brethren. A firefighter hoisted the American flag atop the ladder.
Below are tweets about the fire from CFD spokesman Larry Langford (@CFDMedia)
Audio from firefighterdispatch of this evening’s explosion in the 17100 block of Lamont in Detroit that injured four firefighters. This is the same neighborhood where six homes burned at the same time in a three block area Tuesday night. Two of those homes that burned were on Lamont Street (see video and read details from Tuesday). The video below is from BoxAlarmDetroit.
Firefighters were responding to a small house fire on Lamont at the time of the incident. Two of the firefighters went into the home to check if it was occupied when the explosion happened, according to fire officials.
Officials say the two other firefighters that were injured were standing outside of the home.
Sources tell 7 Action News the four firefighters received second degree burns and at least one sustained cuts from exploding debris.
The firefighters were taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital with minor burns and cuts and are expected to be OK, Executive Fire Commissioner Donald Austin said.
He said firefighters were extinguishing a fire at the house when the explosion occurred around 9 p.m. “(It) appears to be a natural gas leak,” Austin said, stressing that the cause remains under investigation.
“The fire department, they got here… real quick and three of them went inside. There was one on the outside. Then the house just exploded,” said Brian Dunn. “House just collapsed on the three firemen and the other fireman got knocked in the street, and then the rest of the firemen (rushed) in there and went to help the other guys and then they took them away in an ambulance.”
A worker was in the house at the time of the initial fire. He got out safely.
Fire destroyed the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences Wednesday morning.
Tulsa Fire got the call just before 5 a.m. When firefighters arrived at the school near 17th and Lewis flames were coming through the roof.
At about 5:15 a.m. an explosion rocked the building and hurt eight firefighters. The fire department says several of the firefighters had burns on their hands and faces, but all are in fair condition.
Tulsa fire crews believe the fire may have started in a science lab, sparked by some sort of chemical, but it’s not clear what specific chemicals ignited it. Hazardous material crews have been called, and firefighters are being warned to keep their masks on in that area.
When firefighters first went in, there were only small flames, but an explosion occurred soon after. Witnesses say they heard a huge booming noise and then larger flames shot up into the sky.
The Tulsa Fire Department says eight firefighters were injured. Some of them have 3rd degree burns. The Red Cross was also called to the scene to provide relief for the more than 70 firefighters battling the blaze.
FOX6 News is told one firefighter is in serious condition, one in fair condition and one in good condition. Two were treated and released.
The civilian is reportedly in critical condition.
“I was at the hospital. All those people, I am their boss and they work for me and it is hard to take,” Milwaukee Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Romas said at the scene Sunday night.
Above is police dash-cam video of a crash that injured two Goose Creek, South Carolina firefighters early Wednesday morning. One firefighter suffered a broken ankle and the other has a broken leg after being hit at the scene of an a single car accident on U.S. 176. Both firefighters were released from the hospital on Wednesday.
In the video, a police is telling the woman in the first crash that he is going to have to charge her when a car driven by Jessica Lanier plows through the scene. Lanier was charged with DUI and had bond set at $997.
According to an incident report, two firefighters wearing reflective fire gear were walking towards an emergency vehicle when the suspect's vehicle struck both of them. The force of the impact then flung both of the victims onto the left side of an emergency vehicle.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
Officials say arson is not a factor and apparently a plastic line in the home’s sprinkler system burned through and filled the ceiling with water.
The LAPD’s robbery-homicide division is now in charge of the investigation, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Building and Safety Department and the L.A. Fire Department.
“The city of Los Angeles has stringent building codes, and those building codes are made not only to protect residents, but also to protect our firefighters,” LAPD Chief Charlie Beck told KTLA. “So we’re looking into what exactly was the situation at that house.”
One community activist has already moved ahead to the next step and written a column considering the possibility that corners were cut to provide yet more mind numbing television. Click here for that opinion.
As news about the direction of the investigation broke, people gathered for a vigil last night at Fire Station 78 in Studio City to honor Firefighter Glenn Allen. That story is below. Firefighter Allen will be buried later today.
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.
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.
Commentary: Chicago TV anchor says honor Capt. Herbie Johnson by giving CFD firefighters a contract.
2 commentsOn the day they buried Capt. Herbie Johnson, a veteran TV anchor used his commentary section to urge city leaders to work out a new contract with Chicago firefighters. Here’s an excerpt: