Portsmouth St. fire

Jan 30, 2009

At 2250 hrs. Engines 1, 4, 5, Tower 1, Ambulances 4, 5, and BC were dispatched to 5 Portsmouth St. for a reported couch fire. Engie 7 was assisting Ambulance 7 with a medical transport, making Engine 1 the first due piece into 7's ditrict. The BC was the first to arrive, reporting heavy smoke coming from a 2 story SFD with an attached single story "L". Engine 1 made an aggressive attack on the fire while Tower 1 performed vertical ventilation. After about 20 minutes, the fire was controled, and companies were searching for extension into the main structure. Central companies made fast work with their attack, and contained the fire to the "L" section of the house.
This was a good fire to play "What if" with, because typically Engine 1 is out of service during the night shifts due to budget restaints. Had that been the case on this night, Engine 4 would have been first due, making their arrival another 4 minutes later. Without a doudt, this particular fire would have flashed with companies very near, or worst, inside the structure, and extension would have been more probable as well. If this pracrice is continued for a lenghty period of time, the above scenario is bound to pop up at some point. Something has to happen to change this practice, and I pray that it isn't the loss of a fellow Brother or Sister..

STAY SAFE

I will attempt to track down some pictures later this week.