Archives for roof-collapse
Live coverage of funeral for Battalion Chief Michael Goodwin, Philadelphia Fire Department.
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Michael R. Goodwin, Sr.,Captain, Philadelphia Fire Department, Badge # 2773, passed away tragically serving the citizens of Philadelphia on April 6, 2013.Beloved husband of Kelly (nee McDonnell). Loving Dad of Dorothy Dunn (Timothy) and Michael R., Jr. Loving Pop of Timothy Jr. and Bailey Dunn. Dear son of Elizabeth and the late James Goodwin, brother of James (Kelly), Robert (Brenda) and Deborah Goodwin, brother in law of Thomas McDonnell (Joann). Also Surviving are many nieces and nephews. Mike was a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department for over 29 years. He became a firefighter on September 9, 1983, Class # 153. Mike proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an E-4 and was honorably discharged on August 27, 1983. Mike was awarded many commendations while serving the citizens of Philadelphia. He was a Philadelphia Sports fan but the most important aspect of Michael’s life was his family. Relatives, friends, members of Philadelphia Fire Department Local 22 and all first responders are invited to share in Mike’s Life Celebration Wednesday from 5:00- 9:00 PM and Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:45 AM at John F. Givnish of Academy Rd. 10975 Academy Rd. Michael’s Life Celebration Service will be held at 12:00 Noon at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 2139 E. Cumberland St. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mike’s memory to the Firefighters Widow Fund c/o Local 22, 415 N. 5th St. Phila, PA 19123 would be appreciated. To share your fondest memories of Mike visit www.lifecelebration.com.
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Previous coverage of this story
AP:
The mayor of Philadelphia on Sunday ordered flags flown at half-staff and called for prayers for the family and colleagues of a veteran fire captain killed when a roof collapsed beneath him as he battled a blaze, the third city firefighter killed in the line of duty in a year.
Capt. Michael Goodwin, 53, plunged onto the second-floor roof of the three-story building in the Fabric Row section during Saturday night’s blaze. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Fellow firefighter Andrew Godlewski, 28, burned on his hands while trying to rescue Goodwin, was discharged Sunday from a hospital, officials said.
“We must never forget the grave risks that these heroic public servants take every day at a moment’s notice on behalf of us all,” Mayor Michael Nutter said in a statement Sunday.
At an emotional news conference late Saturday, Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers called Goodwin, a 29-year veteran, “a really good person.”
“He was the kind of guy who looked out for his folks,” he said. “A ladder man. A firefighter’s firefighter.”
Goodwin is survived by a wife, two grown children and three siblings, one of whom is a police officer, he said.
Police officers and fellow firefighters saluted Goodwin’s body, draped in an American flag, as it was carried to a hospital and, later, to a funeral home.
The loss came as the fire department prepared to mark a year since an April 9 blaze at a warehouse that killed Capt. Robert Neary, 59, and Daniel Sweeney, 25. They also died in a collapse, which came as they inspected an adjacent building.
“We have a department that is wounded,” Ayers said. “We have scars that are fresh, and indeed they have now been reopened.”
Nutter ordered flags flown at half-staff at all city buildings for the next 30 days in Goodwin’s honor, officials said.
At Goodwin’s fire station deep in south Philadelphia, bouquets were clustered on and around a wooden bench along with a large toy fire truck and ladder.
The American Red Cross of southeastern Pennsylvania said 17 residents were displaced by the blaze, and three of them needed financial help with hotels, food and clothing.
At the scene Sunday afternoon, a fire hose planted in the middle of the street sprayed a jet of water onto the remains of the building, which had collapsed into a pile that stretched over the sidewalk in between two other three-story row homes. Meals and counseling were being provided for grieving firefighters, the Red Cross said.
The blaze appeared to have started in a fabric store downstairs before spreading to upstairs apartments and a neighboring boutique, the store’s owner said. The proprietors of both stores told The Philadelphia Inquirer that everyone in both buildings at the time of the fire managed to escape.
The fire’s cause wasn’t immediately known, but Bruce Blumenthal, the owner of Jack B. Fabrics, said he believes it started in a wall and may have been electrical in nature. Blumenthal said he smelled smoke coming from the basement at around 5 p.m. and found a box of collars and cuffs on fire. He tried to put the flames out with an extinguisher to no avail, he said.
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
UPDATED: Philadephia Fire Department Capt. Michael Goodwin, Ladder 27, killed in collapse at fabric shop. Firefighter Andrew Godlewski burned trying to save captain. Watch press conference.
9 commentsPhiladelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29
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Watch live report from scene
Philadelphia Fire Department
IAFF Local 22 (Facebook page)
A fire burned a fabric shop, upstairs apartments and a neighboring boutique Saturday evening, causing a partial roof collapse that killed a firefighter and injured a colleague who was trying to rescue him, officials said.
Captain Michael Goodwin, 53, was killed in the line of duty, Amy Daly, a nursing supervisor at Jefferson University Hospitals, told The Associated Press. Goodwin was a 29-year veteran of the fire department. Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says he was killed in a fall from the third floor roof to the second.
The second firefighter, Andrew Godlinski, 28, of Ladder 2, was hospitalized with burns. Officials say he was injured while trying to rescue Captain Goodwin. He is expected to survive.
Officials say Captain Goodwin belonged to Ladder 27. His comrades saluted as his body was carried out and taken to the hospital.
Firefighters stood side by side and saluted 53-year-old Captain Michael Goodwin from Ladder 27b. He was killed in a fall from the third floor roof to the second.
The fire roared out of control for hours from the three story building on the stretch known as “Fabric Row.”
Neighbors say the fire started in the basement of a business called Jack B Fabrics and spread to other parts of the business and apartments upstairs.
Another firefighter 28-year-old Andrew Godlinski, suffered burns while trying to save his fallen captain. He was treated at a local hospital and is expected to survive.
View more videos at: http://nbcphiladelphia.com.
Engine-11 arrived on scene with smoke showing from the first floor of three story store front with apartments above. B/C-4 reported companies had trouble located the seat of the fire in the basement of fabric store. Placed all hands in service Deputy-1 requested the second alarm. Command ordered all companies out of the building and went in service with an exterior operations. Command requested the third alarm struck for heavy fire through out. Command requested a the collapse unit for a firefighter trapped after a collapse of the building.
The firefighter was recovered from the building and transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Another firefighter was burned in an attempt to rescue the trapped firefighter.
The firefighter was pronounced at the hospital. He had been the Captain of Ladder-27.
The collapse left the firefighter trapped inside the building on the street known as Fabric Row, officials said. Other firefighters saluted as his body was carried out on a stretcher and taken to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
The fatality came just short of a year since the last time Philadelphia firefighters died in the line of duty. A warehouse blaze in the Kensington section last April 11 killed Capt. Robert Neary, 59, and Daniel Sweeney, 25, both from Ladder 10, and injured two other firefighters.
“We have a department that is wounded,” Ayers said. “We have scars that are fresh, and indeed they have now been reopened.”
The first engine arrived four minutes after the fire call came in, Ayers said. One person inside the building at the time was taken out by firefighters, as they stretched hoses into the building and went to work.
It was 31 minutes after the initial call when the second alarm was struck. Ayers said the crews faced “faced heavy smoke, heavy fire,” adding that from the exterior you could see fabric throughout the store.
It was 6:21 p.m. when officials were informed that a member of the department was “down.” The report changed to one member “missing,” and a third alarm was struck by 6:30 p.m.
Ayers said they found out subsequently that the firefighter “had fallen from the third-floor roof to the second-floor roof.”
“Firefighters were trying to rescue him from the second-floor roof when that roof collapsed,” the fire commissioner went on to say.
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More coverage of the fire from Firegeezer.com
Video above from maw8908 of yesterday’s three-alarm fire in a vacant building at 1811 1st Avene North in Birmingham, Alabama. This video shows the partial collapse of the wall on Side D. There is a link to close-up video of the collapse below.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded to the call around 11:40 AM. There is some fairly early video below in a series of clips from maw8908 taken prior to the collapse.
Click here for a close up view of the collapse shot by Dennis Sherrod.
Firefighters were still hosing down hot spots and keeping an eye out for flames Friday night at the scene of a fire that destroyed a building and blanketed downtown Birmingham in smoke for much of the afternoon.
At 10 p.m., firefighters still had one truck in use to contain three hot spots in the pile of debris, a firefighter said.
The building had been the home of Action Printing and Supplies, among other businesses, but had been vacant for years. No injuries were reported.
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Watch live now: Memorial service for Lt. Greg Pickard & Lt. Eric Wallace, Bryan (TX) Fire Department.
2 commentsThis is live coverage of the public memorial service for Bryan Fire Department Lt. Greg Pickard and Lt. Eric Wallace at Central Baptist Church in College Station, Texas. Lt. Pickard and Lt. Wallace died as a result of the fire on Friday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bryan. Here is our earlier coverage. Latest news on the fire.
Lt. Greg Pickard (l) and Lt. Eric Wallace, Bryan Fire Department.
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NEW INFORMATION – Bryan, TX Lt. Greg Pickard has died in burn unit. Was part of RIT trying to rescue Lt. Eric Wallace who died in Friday night fire. Two other firefighters burned.
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Coverage from Firegeezer.com, Firefighter Nation & Firefighter Close Calls
Watch morning press conference & interview with chief
Bryan Fire Department website & Facebook page
LATEST UPDATE
KBTX-TV now reports a second firefighter has died following last night’s fire in Bryan, Texas:
A spokeswoman from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has confirmed that a second Bryan firefighter died from his injuries.
UTMB says 54-year-old Lt. Greg Pickard died this afternoon. He was a 32-year veteran with the Bryan Fire Department.
Two others are still in the hospital after receiving severe injuries after a fire near Downtown Bryan.
Lt. Gregory Pickard (left) and Lt. Eric Wallace, Bryan Fire Department.
54-year-old Lieutenant Gregory Pickard (32 years on the job) and 36-year-old Lieutenant Eric Wallace (13 years) have both lost their lives in what we have been told was an attempt to save other Firefighters. 30-year-old FF Ricky Mantey Jr. and 21-year-old FF Mitchel Moran remain in the hospital in stable condition. At some point Lt. Wallace’s team went into the structure, but was ordered to evacuate. Wallace didn’t come out and he called for help, saying he was low on air. Firefighters found Wallace, a 13-year veteran, inside and early reports indicated Wallace became trapped when a portion of the roof reportedly collapsed.
FUNERAL DETAILS FOR LT. WALLACE:
Funeral arrangements for Lt. Eric Wallace have just been set as follows. The funeral will be Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Bryan. The funeral procession will immediately follow the funeral service with burial at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Marlin, Texas. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home in Marlin. Much more to follow.
EARLIER UPDATE
The body of Lt. Eric Wallace of the Bryan (TX) Fire Department has been escorted to Hillier Funeral Home (see image and video link below). Lt. Wallace died inside the Knights of Columbus Hall on Groesbeck Drive during a fire reported shortly after 11:00 Friday night. Three firefighters who made up the Rapid Intervention Team were burned as they tried to rescue Lt. Wallace. They are Lt. Greg Pickard, 54; Firefighter Ricky Mantey Jr., 30; and Probationary Firefighter Mitch Moran, 21. Here is an update from KBTX-TV:
According to KHOU 11 News reporter Malini Basu at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, a burn unit doctor says the firefighters being treated at their facility may be hospitalized for more than a month due to their injuries.
A relief account has been set up for donations the fallen and injured firefighters’ families. It’s at Wells Fargo under the Benefit Donation account for the Bryan Fire Department.
Wells Fargo Bank, Main Branch 3000 Briarcrest Bryan, Tx 77802
Attn: Bryan Firefighter Fund
The body of Lt. Wallace arrives at funeral home. Click here for video from KBTX.
EARLIER COVERAGE
Firefighters from Bryan and nearby College Station were called to the KC Hall at about 11:20 p.m. Friday. Stratta said Wallace’s team went into the structure, but was ordered to evacuate.
Wallace didn’t come out and called for help, saying he was low on air. She said rapid response units found Wallace, a 13-year veteran, inside. An early report indicated Wallace became trapped when a portion of the roof reportedly collapsed.
According to the fire department, Wallace and another firefighter went into the building and reported they were short on air. The other firefighter escaped, but the lieutenant stayed inside.
At that point, a Rapid Intervention Team was sent into the building to help the lieutenant. The team is a group of firefighters kept on standby for the sole purpose of rescuing responders in trouble.
Bryan Fire Chief Randy McGregor said in a 6 a.m. press conference that the State Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate. No activities were reported at the building when the fire was reported to 9-1-1.
“There are no words to express our grief at the loss of Eric and our concern for Greg, Ricky and Mitch, and their families,” McGregor said. “These four courageous individuals represent the best of the profession and are true heroes in every sense of the word. “
Wallace was a 13-year veteran of the department. He is survived by his wife, Brandi, and five children. Pickard served with the department for 32 years. Mantey had been with the department for five years, and Moran for 10 months.
In June 2012, a fundraiser was held to help the Wallace family after the couple’s youngest child was born prematurely.
In 2010, the 100 Club honored Wallace for bravery.
He was off-duty, driving home from a shift in 2009 when he saw a house on fire.
When he found out the homeowner was still inside, he ran into the burning building.
The homeowner was too weak to get out on his own, but Wallace pulled him to safety.
Detroit close call revisited: Additional video from warehouse & other Detroit fires with Belgian ride-alongs. Plus more on the controversial Charlie LeDuff comments.
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Previous coverage of reporter Charlie LeDuff’s comments
Previous coverage of close call involving Belgian firefighter
John Hanley was the videographer out of Toronto who captured the close call in Detroit Thursday night involving the Belgian firefighter who almost fell through the roof during a two-alarm vacant warehouse fire at John R and State Fair. In the clip above is John’s additional video from the same fire and a series of other fires in Detroit last week.
You will see more of the visiting Belgian firefighters on John’s video, particularly starting at 7:25 during a fire at Colfax and Vancouver.
The vacationing firefighters from Belgium who were riding along and training with the Detroit Fire Department became somewhat of a target of WJBK-TV reporter Charlie LeDuff on Friday. In a commentary where LeDuff also took some shots at the critically acclaimed movie “Burn”, LeDuff reported the visiting firefighters were part of Commissioner Donald Austin’s “pay to spray” plan (my term) and forked over $2,000 each to the City of Detroit. STATter911.com was contacted Saturday by Marc Opstal one of the Belgian firefighters who said while the firefighters did each pay their travel expenses, they were “guests of the Detroit Fire Department and did not pay a dime for this”.
That I’ve seen, there has been no update or correction on WJBK-TV’s site. LeDuff has long fought for improvements in the Detroit Fire Department and is normally a favorite of a lot of firefighters, including many readers of STATter911.com. This time though LeDuff is taking a lot of heat in the comments section on the WJBK-TV site from people who describe themselves as fans of the reporter. Here is an example:
Charlie, please, you lost me as a huge fan on this one! You missed the boat! This film was about love, dedication, and a job well done by the DFD. If you want to go see it I will buy you a ticket for this evening. As the proud mother of a Detroit Firefighter I really to took offense to your writing.
UPDATE – Belgian firefighter says TV reporter wrong that they paid $2K each for Detroit FD ride-along/training. LeDuff rains on critically acclaimed ‘Burn’ local premiere.
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Close call involving vacationing Belgian firefighter
Earlier coverage of Commissioner Austin’s pay to ride-along proposal
Other Detroit coverage of “Burn” here, here & here
Official website for “Burn” where you can support documentary
SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:
Belgian Firefighter Marc Opstal has been in touch with STATter911.com both in the comments section and by phone. Opstal says WJBK-TV’s Charlie LeDuff reported wrong information about the visit by the Belgian firefighters to Detroit and wished that LeDuff had contacted them for comment first. Here’s what Opstal wrote:
As one of the 10 firefighters from Belgium, I need to react on the report and comments. First of all we are guests of the Detroit Fire Department and did not pay a dime for this. The 2000 dollars refered to is the money we spent on airfaire, rental cars and hotels for the tourist trip we will be making next week, which will bring us to Toronto, DC, Philadelphia and New York. Secondly, this visit was planned more than a year ago, long before the “tourist thrill”. Finally, we have done similar trips to other US cities since 1996. Another group will be visiting Austin, TX next week. Oh, and by the way, we paid for our tickets to the “burn” premiere, and thus show our support.
EARLIER COVERAGE:
It’s buried near the end of WJBK-TV reporter Charlie LeDuff’s rant about the state of the Detroit fire department under the administration of Commissioner Donald Austin and Mayor Dave Bing. LeDuff, who broke the story of Austin’s proposal to charge those who want to ride-along and train with the Detroit Fire Department, says “10 guys from Belgium took him up on the offer, paying $2,000 each.” LeDuff adds, “For that they get to pull hose, sleep in a real-life firehouse, go to a Tigers game and stand on the red carpet of the Burn premiere.”
As the reporter mentions in the video above, for that money one of the Belgian firefighters experienced a close call first hand. As we showed you yesterday, the firefighter was on the roof of a burning vacant warehouse when the roof gave way underneath him (click here for the video and audio of that incident).
It’s interesting that in the WXYZ-TV story about the vacationing firemen where Commissioner Austin was interviewed there is mention the firefighters paid their own way and were on their own time, but no indication they paid the City of Detroit for this opportunity.
LeDuff’s story came as the critically acclaimed documentary “Burn” had its Detroit premiere. While the coverage of the movie elsewhere around town and the country has been very good, LeDuff does not appear to be much of a fan:
The Detroit premiere of the documentary “Burn” plays Friday night. With respect to the hard-working firefighters who lay it on the line every night, the movie doesn’t show anything that we don’t already know. The Detroit Fire Department is a disaster, made worse by the bonehead budget cuts by Out-To-Lunch Dave Bing.
Reporter Charlie LeDuff claims Belgian firefighters paid $2000 for the “tourist thrill ride”. This one got something the others didn’t, a close call as the roof of a warehouse gave way underneath him. Click here for more.
Why allow a movie camera on the rigs to make yet another negative story about Detroit? We’re told it is to show the world the struggles of our emergency responders. Well, the cameras have left and the city still struggles. You don’t get rid of a negative image by making movies. You get rid of a negative image by fixing the problems. I thought we learned our lesson with Aiyana Stanley Jones, the seven-year-old who was shot to death by a cop with a cable television camera in tow.
What has the fire commissioner done? He has issued an official department-wide bulletin telling the rank and file that the movie producers request they come to the premiere in their dress blues. The good tickets go for 50 bucks. Can somebody tell Dennis Leary they just got their pay cut by 10 percent?
WDIV-TV reports this Friday night fire is an example of the “let it burn” policy. Click here for video.
Another station, WDIV-TV. filed a report on the same night as “Burn” clearly illustrating “let it burn”, Commissioner Austin’s plan that combines firefighter safety with urban renewal. At least one resident interviewed supports the idea.
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Detroit firefighters hosing down the rig but not the fire building Friday night.
Must see close call, plus fireground audio: Firefighters, including an international ride-along, on roof of Detroit warehouse during partial collapse.
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Click here for fireground audio as roof paritally collapses
The video above from WDIV-TV, which includes a close call shot by CTV out of Toronto, was taken last night during a two-alarm vacant warehouse fire at John R and State Fair. Alertpage Text Alert Notification Service provided the radio traffic from the incident.
WDIV-TV says one of the firefighters on the roof is part of a group of firefighters from The Netherlands visiting Detroit on their own to learn from the city’s firefighters. WXYZ-TV reports that crew is actually from neighboring Belgium. Here’s an excerpt from a report filed yesterday:
“We know that Detroit has a lot of fires. So, there’s no better place to learn about firefighting than Detroit”, said Marc Opstal from the fire department in Zaventem, Belgium. “We have good prevention. We don’t have that much vacant buildings. So, we don’t get to see fire that much. And in order to really learn something, this is very good place for us”.
The Belgian firefighters arrived in town Sunday to spend the week training with Detroit firefighters, and what they learn here in the city is so valuable that each Belgian firefighter paid their own way to way to get here. They’re even using vacation time for the learning experience.
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DC Fire & EMS Department report on vacant house fire that injured five firefighters. Read entire report.
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Click here to download the entire report
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Click here for fireground audio from this fire
Click here for previous coverage of story
Last week the DC Fire & EMS Department released its internal report into the April 8, 2011 fire at 811 48th Place, NE that injured five firefighters. Earlier this week we pointed you to a Washington Times article about the fire. Now the entire report is available for downloading (note that it is a fairly large file).
This is the fire that critically burned Firefighter Chuck Ryan who was with Rescue Squad 3. Firefighter Ryan is now back on the job in DC.
You may note another familiar name in the previous coverage of this fire. Robert Alvarado was a lieutenant at the time he was burned. Alvarado has since been demoted to sergeant following his public challenge of Chief Kenneth Ellerbe’s uniform policy (click here).
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More raw video from fire
More video
The fire broke out late Friday afternoon at the Studio 6 Extended Stay, located in the 11200 block of Highway 281 South, near the Rhapsody intersection.
The fire spread from the second to third floors of the hotel and billowing flames could be seen erupting from the roof, causing it to collapse on top of several firefighters.
Firefighters experienced a scare when a portion of the roof collapsed, appearing to hit nearby firefighters. However, no firefighters were hurt.
When the roof collapsed, Hood said firefighters implemented a defense approach and let one of the hotel’s buildings burn.
“That’s one of those moments when your heart just goes to your feet because we have reports of firefighters trapped,” Chief Hood said.
Crews feared the worst but fortunately, every firefighter made it out safely.
Engines full of crews waited in the wings, ready to go at a moment’s notice.
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Chief Kenny Fox killed in Parsons, Tennessee restaurant fire. Reports he pushed others out of the way as roof collapsed.
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UPDATED: In the initial news reports about this incident it was not noted that Kenny Fox was the fire chief in Decaturville, Tennessee.
Reports are now that it was Firefighter Kenny Fox, a volunteer Firefighter and Sheriff’s Deputy, who became trapped – and killed in the Line of Duty when the roof collapsed during this mornings restaurant fire in Decatur County, TN.
2 other Firefighters were badly burned and are at Vanderbilt Hospital. Firefighters Jeremy Inman and his brother Randy are being treated for third degree burns on their face and hands. Firefighter Fox’s eldest son was also on the fire scene assisting at the fire and stayed until crews could recover his father’s body. FF Fox leaves behind a wife and three sons.
Reports are that FF Fox heroically pushed his fellow firefighters out of the way as the roof collapsed, trapping Fox inside the Oak Hill Cafe-leading to his death.
FF Fox was also a Sergeant with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. His oldest son was also fighting the fire just before 0430 today. The younger Fox ran inside the burning building to try to save his father, but it was too late.
Channel 4 News is being told Fox pushed his fellow firefighters out of the way as the roof collapsed, trapping Fox inside the Oak Hill Cafe.
Fox was also a sergeant with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office. His oldest son was also fighting the blaze just before 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. The younger Fox ran inside the burning building to try to save his father, but it was too late.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what caused the fire. A memorial fund has been set up to help Fox’s family. You can donate to the Kenny Fox Memorial Fund at Decatur County Bank, P.O. Box 429, Decaturville, Tennessee, 38329.
Update to must see video: Dearborn, Michigan firefighters talk about their extemely close call on the roof of burning Fordson Cleaners.
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Previous coverage of this story
More pictures of the fire
The three Dearborn firefighters on the roof of the Fordson Cleaners Thursday evening who had an extrememly close call captured on video and seen around the world are Lt. Steven Bucholz (in the red helmet), Firefighter Mark Farrell (who was pulled to safety by the others) and Firefighter Joe Murray. They told reporters today they didn’t realize how close it was until they saw the video on the news. Watch the interview above and here are some quotes from the story by Julie Banovic at WXYZ-TV:
“As soon as I felt it going I just reached for that wall,” said Mark Farrell. Mark Farrell is the Dearborn firefighter sliding toward a hole of fire who narrowly escaped being burned alive.
“Thank God for both of these guys,“ said Farrell.
“I didn’t really know how bad it really was. We all came off the roof and went back to work,” said Farrell.
“Oh man, I was closer to the hole than I thought it was. And it wasn’t until I saw the video that I realized that,” said Farrell.
“It really opened our eyes how lucky we got,” said Joe Murray.
Firefighter Mark Farrell did not tell his wife what happened until she saw him on the news.
“I didn’t really realize the helicopter was up there. (My wife) saw it later on in the night. I caught some flack for it later,” the year firefighter said laughing.
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UPDATED – A must see: It doesn’t get much closer than this. Roof caving in during Dearborn, Michigan fire. Additional video & pictures added.
35 commentsIn case you were wondering reporter Ron Savage, in the video above, is a
volunteerpaid, on-call firefighter with Michigan’s Brighton Area Fire Department.Click here to follow STATter911.com on Facebook (hit “like”)
Dearborn Fire Department website
Thanks to a number of our loyal readers for the alert about this video from a fire in Dearborn, Michigan Thursday evening that became a very close call for three firefighters (including Mike Smith who publishes the wonderful site BoronExtrication.com).
Above is the story from WJBK-TV with more some additional video of the fire. Below is raw video of the partial collapse of the roof from WXYZ-TV.
Three Dearborn fire fighters escaped serious injury during some scary moments while battling a fire at Fordson Cleaners.
It happened when they were on the roof trying to ventilate the building.
They had made their first hole when the roof started giving way under their feet. Skyfox was overhead when it happen and caught the dramatic moment on camera.
Click here for Dearborn Patch aftermath photos by Ian Kushnir.
The call for the fire came in just after the business closed, around 7 p.m. It was a two-alarm fire that blew out the doors of the business
While attempting to ventilate the building, the roof of the business caved in with three firefighters standing on top of it. One man almost fell in, but was pulled to safety.
Fordson Cleaners has been in business in Dearborn since 1949, and cleans everything from draperies and rugs to wedding gowns and commercial orders.
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Click here for Google Maps tour around Fordson Cleaners at Lois and Michigan in Dearborn.
Click here for Bing Maps Bird’s Eye View of Fordson Cleaners.
Early raw video: Abby Theater fire in Abbotsford, Wisconsin that killed Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer. Fire now ruled accidental.
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Click here to view the first of five clips from the fire posted today.
Earlier coverage of the fire can be found here, here, here and here
On this page is video taken as the first firefighters arrived on the scene of the fire in Abbotsford, Wisconsin (Clark County) shortly after noon on Sunday, March 4. The fire in the Abby Theater took the life of Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer of the Colby Fire Department. Lt. Kampmeyer was also a deputy sheriff in Marathon County.
Earlier today WQOW-TV reported that investigators have determined the fire started because of an electrical malfunction in the lobby of the theater.
The video was provided for training purposes to st1300a4′s YouTube Channel by Julie Miklaszewicz who runs RVing Outpost, LLC – On-Line Store!. Julie had previously posted the video and removed it until after the funeral, honoring a request from local firefighters.
Immediately below is the video Julie Miklaszewicz posted on March 5. It is the same as clip number 5 but with audio and better video quality. Julie Miklaszewicz previously posted a large number of still pictures on her Facebook page here.
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More from Abbotsford, WI: Memorial fund & arrangements for Colby FD Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer.
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Large series of still pictures from the Abby Theater fire
Previous coverage of this story here and here
UPDATE – Shortly after we posted the video above the owner of the clip received a request from local firefighters to make the video private until after Lt. Kampmeyer's funeral. She has honored that request.
Arrangements for Colby FD Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer:
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at St Bernard's Catholic Church, Abbotsford. Father Daniel Hackel will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Colby. Members of the Marathon County Sherriff's Department, Colby Volunteer Fire Department and the Marathon County Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2012, at St Bernard's Catholic Church, Abbotsford and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.
EARLIER:
This is video from Julie Miklaszewicz who runs RVing Outpost, LLC – On-Line Store! and also took the still pictures of yesterday's fire in Abbotsford, Wisconsin that killed Colby Fire Department Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer.
Lt. Kampmeyer, who was also a deputy sheriff in Marathon County, was 34 and leaves behind a wife and three young children.
“There's a lot of confusion right now as to why it had to happen,” (Abbotsford Fire Chief Jody) Apfelbeck said.
The fire chief said while attacking flames from inside the theater, the call went out to crews to get out of the building but some didn’t get the warning in time.
“The roof collapsed, trapping three firefighters inside. One firefighter, Jamison Kampmeyer of Colby, a volunteer with the Colby fire Department and a deputy with the Marathon County Sheriff's Department was fatally injured,” Apfelbeck said.
A memorial fund has been established in honor of firefighter who lost his life Sunday during a fire in Abbotsford.
All donations can be directed to Integrity First Bank, Attention Terri Knoeck, 101 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI. You can contact the bank at 715-847-4806.
Pre-arrival & post collapse pictures from Abbotsford, Wisconsin theater fire. Blaze killed Colby FD Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer.
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Previous coverage of this story here and here
These are pictures are from Julie Miklaszewicz who runs RVing Outpost, LLC – On-Line Store!. Julie was on the scene of the Abby Theater fire in Abbotsford, Wisconsin on Sunday before the first firefighters arrived. She was also there through the collapse that killed Colby FD Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer and injured four other firefighters.
Julie has given us permission to use these photos and has many more pictures from the fire on her Facebook page.
Colby, Wisconsin Lt. Jamison Kampmeyer killed in roof collapse at Abbotsford theater. Was also deputy sheriff.
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We now know the name of the firefighter who died in a devastating fire in Clark County.
The Marathon County Administrator's Office says Jamison Kampmeyer died. He worked for the Marathon County Sheriff's Department since April, 2004. He has three kids, the youngest being 4-months-old.
Authorities have not yet released the name however Governor Scott Walker sent out his condolences over social media to the family of Marathon County Deputy Sheriff Jamison Kampmeyer Monday morning. Around 8:00 a.m., the Governor wrote "Our prayers are with family of Marathon Co Deputy Sheriff Jamison Kampmeyer who died as a volunteer fire fighter."
A firefighter who died Sunday during a fire in Abbotsford was also a Marathon County Sheriff’s Deputy, and had been with the department since 2004. Jamison Kampmeyer died while fighting a fire at the Abby Theatre in Abbotsford. Three other firefighters were also injured when the structure’s roof collapsed.
The County has not released the man’s name; however Gov. Scott Walker posted condolences to the man’s family this morning on Facebook.
Click here for Facebook page set up to honor Jamison Kampmeyer.
UPDATED: Firefighter killed in Abbotsford, Wisconsin fire. Snow covered theater roof collapsed & took life of Colby FD member. Four others injured.
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Click here for Tribune-Phonograph article
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UPDATED 6:15 AM
A press conference is expected to be held today to announce the identity of a firefighter from the Colby Fire Department who died yesterday after the collapse of a snow covered roof during a fire in the Abby Theater in Abbotsford, Wisconsin. Below is the latest information.
Watch report from WEAU-TV
Clark County officials in central Wisconsin say a Colby firefighter died while helping fire crews from nearby Abbotsford battle a fire Sunday afternoon.
The towns are just west of Wausau.
The fire gutted the historic Abby Theatre in downtown Abbotsford.
The Abbotsford fire chief says the roof of the theatre was weighed down by snow, and collapsed during the fire.
The fire, reported at about noon, inflicted "substantial damage" to the theater in the 200 block of North First Street, Apfelbeck said. The four exterior walls were left standing, but the "roof completely collapsed," he said.
"There was a lot of heat, a lot of smoke," said Apfelbeck, soot coating his clothes and face, after most of the fire had been extinguished. "It was a bad fire."
Apfelbeck said the collapsed ceiling trapped three firefighters inside. The other two firefighters suffered injuries from falling bricks, he said.
Click here for Marshfield News Herald coverage.
EARLIER COVERAGE
We regret to advise you that a Firefighter from the Colby (WI) FD was killed in the Line of Duty this afternoon-while on a mutual aid fire call. The fire was in the Abby Theater in Abbotsford and is reportedly a major loss-it started around noon. At some point during the operation, several Firefighters were injured when the roof collapsed. EMS units as well as a medical helicopter transported.
Four firefighters battling the blaze were transported to the emergency room in Marshfield, including one who was airlifted by the Spirit helicopter, according to Abbotsford fire chief Jody Apfelbeck.
The ceiling caved in while firefighters were inside the theatre and an unspecified number of them were trapped, he said.
The Clark County Coroner says one of the four firefighters injured when the roof of the Abby Theatre collapsed, has died.
He isn't releasing a name at this time. NewsChannel 7 has learned a press conference is scheduled for tomorrow. A location and time have not been released.
The Clark County coroner has confirmed that one firefighter has died after a blaze at the Abby Theatre in Abbotsford.
A Nursing Supervisor at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield says three other firefighters were treated and released.
Fireground audio: Muncie, Indiana church fire that took the life of Firefighter Scott Davis. Funeral information posted. FF’s death recognized in Congress.
5 commentsClick here and here for previous coverage & video from this story
Below are the arrangements for Firefighter Scott Davis via The Secret List:
The following is the funeral information for our fallen Brother from Muncie FD, IAFF L-1348,Firefighter Scott Davis.
Visitation: Monday June 20th from 3-8 PM and Tuesday, June 21st from 10-11 AM at the Horizon Convention Center (401 South High Street Muncie, IN 47305-2328)
Funeral: Tuesday, June 21st at 11AM at the Horizon Convention center, followed by burial at Elm Ridge Cemetery.
Lt. Mark Greenburg of the Muncie FD will be in charge of the Honor Guard. You may contact Mark at (765) 730-9577 if you have members that wish to stand honor guard, act as ushers or be utilized any way Lt. Greenburg determines.
Additional details will be posted on www.IAFF.org
Fallen Firefighter Scott Davis' wife, Raeanne, spoke Thursday:
“If there’s anywhere else he was going to pass, no better than the house of the Lord."
"To all of Scott's brothers, his fire department brothers, I want to thank you for never leaving his side and for staying with him all the way 'til the end. And there's been someone with him, there's been someone by his side, since the time that this happened, there's been someone by his side. So thank you very much. To all of our fire department family because you guys are a family to us."
Watch her full statement in the video above.
From The StarPress.com:
The department, (Muncie Fire Chief Sean) Burcham said, has brought in an “intervention team” from the Indianapolis Fire Department to help the MFD deal with the loss.
The ATF is sending a certified investigator to search for the cause and origin of Wednesday’s fire at the Tabernacle of Praise church. The StarPress.com’s story is here.
Injured in the fire were Lt. Alan Richards and Firefighter Shane Mann. The StarPress reports Lt. Richards suffered second- and third-degree burns; Mann sustained minor injuries.
More photos from the fire
Muncie Fire Department
Firefighter Close Calls
Firefighter Nation
Previous STATter911.com coverage
Excerpts from an article by Andrew Walker at TheStarPress.com:
More than three hours after flames sent a southside church's sanctuary roof crashing toward the ground, emergency personnel on the scene gathered around a covered body pulled from the still-steaming rubble and saluted their fallen brother.
Scott Davis, a Muncie firefighter and former Yorktown fire chief, died Wednesday after fire struck the Tabernacle of Praise on Wednesday afternoon.
Firefighter Scott Davis.
Davis, a husband and father of three, was 40 years old, according to Delaware County Sheriff Michael Scroggins, Davis' cousin.
Davis is believed to be the first Muncie firefighter to die while in the line of duty since 1955. (see below)
Two other firefighters were believed to have been injured in the blaze, but their names had not been released. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Contacted late Wednesday, Fire Chief Sean Burcham said he could not release any details about the fire, including the number of firefighters injured. "We'll issue a press release in the morning," he said.
Callers originally told emergency dispatchers heavy smoke was billowing from the sanctuary of the church, which sits on the south side of the property that borders the Muncie Bypass. By 3:55 p.m., the first of several city fire crews arrived to find flames shooting from the roof.
Twenty minutes later, that roof collapsed.
The implosion resulted in a loud booming noise followed by the crashing of glass and the screams of onlookers who witnessed a large amount of flames turn into an all-out inferno. One firefighter was seen escaping out of a sanctuary window just seconds after its roof came down.
Fire crews in the back of the building began scrambling from that point as word circulated that a firefighter was possibly trapped under the collapsed roof. Dozens of neighbors, curious onlookers and Tabernacle of Praise members were arriving on the scene, some breaking down in tears while others embraced one another.
As crews from several local volunteer fire departments arrived on scene to assist MFD's firefighting efforts, it became apparent that a firefighter was, indeed, missing and possibly dead.
At 5:40 p.m., MFD Chief Burcham addressed the media on scene, confirming news that a Muncie firefighter was unaccounted for. He did not commentnurther.
As firefighters utilized the help of tanker trucks carrying water from various county fire departments to finally get the flames and smoke under control, a group of firefighters, police and other emergency personnel gathered alongside the south end of the building as crews went into the rubble in search of their fallen colleague. Some kneeled, others could be seen with their faces in their hands.
It was about 5:45 p.m. that Muncie fire Battalion Chief James Clevenger, a former county coroner, confirmed to The Star Press that the missing firefighter had died.
At 7:15 p.m., Davis' body was recovered from the collapsed building and placed inside a waiting ambulance. Officers and firefighters nearby also stood at attention and saluted.
Wednesday's church fire occurred coincidentally the same day U.S. Rep. Mike Pence announced the Muncie Fire Department was awarded a $309,760 grant for operations and safety.
Excerpts from an article by Douglas Walker at TheStarPress.com:
On Feb. 9, 1955, three city firefighters — Vernon Lutton, Doyle Upchurch and Clarence White — were killed when a wall collapsed on them as they tried to contain a blaze at the Swartz Paper Co.
While other local firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty — including Richard Standafer, killed when a fire truck crashed while on an emergency run in 1986 — Davis is the first to perish at a fire scene since the Swartz Paper Co. disaster.
UPDATED: Firefighter in Muncie, Indiana reported killed at church fire. FF had been missing after roof collapse.
5 commentsTheStarPress.com reports a body, believed to be that of a firefighter, has been recovered after a fire at the Tabernacle of Praise Church on the south side of Muncie, Indiana. Indications are the firefighter was killed when the roof of the church at 2200 E.Fuson Road collapsed. The fire was reported at 3:55 PM.
From TheStarPress.com at 5:45 PM:
A Muncie firefighter has died in the southside church fire confirmed Delaware County deputy coroner Jim Clevenger. They are holding identity of firefighter until family is notified. They know where the firefighter is in the church but they can't reach him because of the fire.
From Chris Bergin via The StarPress.com.
More photos from the fire
Aerial video from TheIndyChannel.com
Aerial videos from WTHR
Earlier from The StarPress.com:
The Muncie Fire Department was leading efforts to battle the blaze with help from surrounding volunteer departments, who are bringing water to the site on tanker trucks.
The structure that collapsed and on fire was sanctuary. Firefighters are trying to prevent it from reaching the family fun center on the northside of the building. A church goer at scene reported the church was hand built by church members.
Radio dispatch indicated at 4:15 p.m. a firefight was missing after the roof collapsed
STATter911.com regular reader Clark de Bear alerted us to this video. It was shot yesterday afternoon at a two-alarm house fire on Furnace Road in Washington Township, Pennsylvania (Lehigh County). Shortly after the 2:00 mark it appears part of the roof gives way almost taking a firefighter with it. No further information.
Click here for previous coverage of this story
By Kristin Fisher at WUSA9.com:
It's been nearly two months since five D.C. firefighters were injured while fighting a house fire in Northeast. Thursday, the last of those firefighters was released from the hospital and his entire company came out to welcome him home.
"I already feel ten times better. The hospital staff takes care of you and they do a really good job. But, just to be out of the atmosphere of the hospital and be back outside feels great," said D.C. Firefighter Chuck Ryan.
"I can't believe how much he's come back from that night that he was burned," said D.C. Firefighter J.C. Carroll. "It's a tremendous showing of his will-power and love for the job."
Ryan, a D.C. Firefighter and the Chief of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department in Prince George's County, was badly burned when the roof collapsed while he was fighting a fire on April 8th, 2011. Four other firefighters were also injured, but Ryan was by far the worst. He had second and third degree burns over 30-percent of his body. Today, his arms, hands, legs, and feet are still covered in bandages. Still, Ryan says he is itching to get back to work.
"Oh I'll be back. Absolutely. 100%. There's no question. I will be back," Ryan said. "I've made it back home. Now my mission is to make it back to work."
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