09/06/2011 – Two Alarm Structure Fire – “B” Shift

Incident # 11-04853 – An early morning structure fire destroyed a Hyde Park home Tuesday morning 6-September. The fire was reported at 05:33 with the caller advising flames were visible through the roof. Engine 26 arrived 6 minutes later, to find a one story brick veneer residential structure 80% involved, with the roof burned away in the center of the home. The remainder of the roof was well involved. A power line had fallen on a metal car port on the “D” side of the building blocking access from that direction. The power line was arching on the metal car port showering the immediate area with sparks. Engine 26 used a deck gun to knock down the flames, as crewmembers quickly set up a drop tank for a Tender Shuttle. Two 1-3/4 and one 2-1/2 handlines were deployed to the building. Firefighters entered the home through the front door, working their way to both sides in an effort to extinguish the fire. The flames consumed the remaining 20% of the roof within minutes. A second alarm was issued five minutes after arrival for additional personnel and Water Tenders.

Firefighters worked for 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Units were on the scene for four hours. Investigators believe the fire originated near a power strip in the living room. The entire structure was gutted with very few personal items saved. One firefighter was transported to the hospital by ambulance after receiving a back injury.

Engine 19, Engine 26, Tender 1, Tender 3, Tender 4, Tender 5, Tender 19, Tender 27, Medic 19, Medic 26, Battalion 1, Car 12, Car 111 and Car 116 responded. Firefighter-EMT Bryon Martinson initially served as Incident Commander. IC was later transferred to Battalion Chief Ben Heape.