As shift change approached on Wednesday March 21, 2007, while Rescue 1 was on an EMS call all units were dispatched to a report of a house fire with entrapment at S.Beagle and S.Roberts. Upon arrival, Engine 3 encountered heavy fire conditions in an occupied residence at 106 S. Beagle St. Engine 3 FF Ahrens was first onscene and initiated the fire attack. Ladder 1's aerial was used by the ventilation crew. All residents were out of the building prior to the Fire Departments arrival. The cause of the fire was children playing with matches. (PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLLANDER AND PAUL TRIPPY)
At 0750 hours on thanksgiving day 2007, a call was received reporting a structure fire at 117 Sisson St in Engine 3's district. Nearing shift change, FF Keith Ossman arrived onscene with Engine 3 reporting a working fire. A second alarm was dispatched calling in all available off duty personnel immediately after Car 1 and Rescue 1 arrived. (3) 1 3/4" and (2) 2 1/2" handlines were used along with multiple ground ladders. Engine 1 supplied Engine 3 from the closest hydrant located north of the Steger Highrise on North Main St. The fire originated in the second floor spreading through the attic. One family escaped the fire before arrival with no injuries. Many firefighters took part in the extinguishment process, which was extensive due to the amount of fire involved in the upper section of the house which had limited access. The neighboring house at 113 Sisson received very minimal damage to the exterior. There were no injuries in during the fire, the Fredonia Fire Department responded Rescue 71 to the scene to fill air bottles, And Fredonia Engine 14 stood by at fire headquarters until Reserve Engine 2 was clear the scene. All units were in service at quarters at 1230.
At 0325 hours, numerous calls were received reporting a house fire in the area of 746 Main Street. Some of the calls came from blocks away reporting heavy smoke in the area. Dunkirk Police Officer Michael Pakulski arrived onscene first, and assisted an unconscious resident to safety. The patient was treated at the scene, and rapidly transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital and the E.C.M.C. Burn Unit by Alstar E.M.S. Crews found moderate fire conditions inside the residence and extinguished the main body of fire. When the fire extended into the attic area and self vented the windows, it was met by the high wind conditions therefore extending the fire to an uncontrollable state. Firefighters Trippy and Michalak had a close call as they evacuated from the second floor only moments before the area was fully involved. A defensive operation was then initiated as master stream appliances were used by Ladder 1, Engine 1, and Engine 4. Multiple handlines were also used from both engines as well as East Dunkirk's Engine. Mutual Aid was received from East Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Sheridan. The Incident Commander was Lt. James Hyland, The #4 shift was working, and the cause of the fire was electrical in nature. (PHOTOS BY ALLEN HOLLANDER)
