SHIFT 1 HOLDS FIRE IN CHECK;
MAJOR BLAZE AVERTED
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On August 10, 2006 at 1008 hrs. Iron Mountain Fire Department was
dispatched by Dickinson County dispatchers to 920 Sunset Dr. for a reported
garage fire.
Shift one, consisting of a three man crew, responded to the call with one
engine. Upon arrival, the initial size-up indicated all occupants out and
fire throughout
the garage with extension into the home. Lt. Kevin Pirlot assumed command
and ordered a 1-3/4” hand-line placed in service through the front
door to cut the fire off at exposures within the home.
Engine Operator Mark Drago stretched a preconnected cross-lay to the front
door and took control of the nozzle, preparing for entry into the home. Due
to lack
of hydrants, command immediately ordered a code 3 call-back of off-duty fire
fighters and requested Kingsford to respond for water supply. Engineer Perry
Tompkins charged the hand-line and prepared to assist with ventilation when
ordered.
The initial attack crew entered the house and started knocking down fire
in the kitchen and working their way toward the garage. Eng./Oper. Drago
encountered
heavy fire in a laundry room / entry way just prior to entering the garage.
A
vent cut was made in the overhead garage door, but ventilation was held in
check until the initial attack crew knocked down the bulk of the fire inside
the
structure.
Ventilation was provided via an outside entry door into the laundry room
area. With the fire
confined but not extinguished the first-in engine ran dry of water while
Kingsford was laying a 4” supply line from the closest hydrant, 1400’ away.
Kingsford laid down their 1000’ of 4” supply line while Engineer
Tompkins, with the assistance of Beacon Medic Jeff Friedenstab, hand-jacked
400’ of
5” supply hose back to meet Kingsford. Iron Mountain’s Engine Two
with a two man crew responded to the fire and made the 4” to 5” connection.
Command ordered the front bumper 1-1/2” preconnect off Engine Two stretched
to the garage and charged. At this point a water supply was established and
the remaining fire was extinguished.
Ventilation and salvage were conducted, which assisted in minimizing smoke
and water damage inside the house. Investigation revealed that a child playing
with a
lighter was the cause of the fire. Origin was in the garage with extension
into the home via a garage door left open by the child when entering the home
to alert
his sisters of the fire.
NOTE: Prior to firefighter lay-offs, this address would have received an immediate
two-engine response, in order to compensate for the long distance from a hydrant
with 1000 gallons of tank water, per policy (affected areas are
Bass lake Road, Park Ridge Mobile Home Court, North Lake Antoine Road, South
Lake Antoine Road, West Antoine Street, Wickman Drive, and Sunset Drive). Since
the lay-offs, the fire department does not have the staffing available to send
two engines automatically within the city.
Engine 1: Lt. Kevin Pirlot, Eng. Perry Tompkins, Eng./Oper. Mark Drago
Engine 2: Lt: Charles Lauersdorf, Eng./Oper. John de Bidart
Unit 5: Lt. Jared Cudnohufsky, Eng. Ted Valeski