60+ Firefighters Called To Battle Hotel Fire

On January 30^th, 2010 at 12:15 pm (16) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (9) Engine Companies, (4) Ladder Companies, (1) Heavy Rescue, (4) Battalion Chiefs, and (2) Fire Investigators, were called to service for a report of a fire in a high-rise hotel at the Golden Green Hotel located at 3024 E. Independence Boulevard. Firefighters from nearby Station 8 were first to arrive at 12:19 pm and reported nothing showing from the ‘A’ division of this 8-story structure, but an evacuation was in progress. Ladder 1 arrived and reported heavy smoke showing from a 2^nd floor window in the ‘C’ division (rear) of the structure.

A 2^nd Alarm was transmitted bringing an additional (4) Engines, (2) Ladders, and (2) Battalion Chiefs. Engine 1 arrived and established a water supply from a nearby fire hydrant and hooked into the standpipe system. Teams of firefighters deployed hoselines and were given the task of extinguishing the fire, while others were given the task of searching the hotel to ensure everyone was safely evacuated. Utilizing hoselines that were stretched to the fire floor, firefighters were able to knockdown the fire and confine it to the room of origin.

Sixty-one (61) Firefighters were called to bring this hotel fire under control in 30 minutes. Fire investigators determined the fire began in a second floor room and was caused by a child playing with a lighter. Damage was estimated at $20,000. There were no injuries to report.

Submitted by:

Mark Basnight | PIO

Office of Public Affairs

Firefighters Rescue Driver From Burning SUV

On January 29^th, 2010 at 1:11 am (6) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (2) Engine Companies, (1) Ladder Company, (1) Heavy Rescue, (1) Battalion Chief, and (1) Fire Investigator, were called to service for a report of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of South Tryon Street and Westinghouse Boulevard. Firefighters from nearby Station 26 arrived at South Tryon Street and Nevada Boulevard at 1:13 am and found a Ford Explorer SUV with heavy flames showing from the entire engine compartment and a portion of the passenger compartment.

Engine 26 established Command and initiated both a fire attack and passenger search utilizing a 1 ¾ “ hoseline and water carried on the fire truck since the nearby fire hydrant had been sheared off at its base. During their search in heavy fire and smoke conditions, a lone male occupant was located in the driver’s area. After further assessment it was discovered that the driver was trapped in the vehicle by the dashboard and the crushed roof. The SUV struck a fire hydrant, a power pole, traveled approximately 150’, before landing and then rotating on its side. Ladder 26 arrived on scene shortly after Engine 26 and continued rescue efforts utilizing hydraulic rescue tools while members from Engine 26 provided fire protection in the event of a flash fire.

Upon the arrival of Battalion 5 and Rescue 10, command was transferred and the rescue effort was supplemented with the crew and tools of Rescue 10. Engine 37 was dispatched and given the assignment of establishing a landing zone (LZ) for MedCenter Air.

(18) Firefighters were needed to affect the rescue of the survivor who was quickly placed in MEDIC’s care, and moved to the LZ via a ground unit. The survivor was flown to Carolinas Medical Center-Main with life-threatening injuries and subsequently transported by air to the burn center in Chapel Hill.

Submitted by:

Mark Basnight | Public Information Officer

Office of Public Affairs

48 Firefighters Called To Control Fuel Leak

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On Sunday January 17th at 11:38 pm, (11) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (4) Engines, (3) Ladders, (2) Hazardous Materials Response Team, (3) water tankers, (2) Battalion Chief, and the Hazardous Materials Battalion Chief responded to a call for service at 6801 Freedom Drive. Firefighters from nearby Station #21 were first to arrive and reported a flash fire and gasoline leaking from the piping system on the property. Under direction of the Incident Commander, crews immediately set up foam operations using water supplied from a nearby hydrant. The application of foam applied on the product provided a blanket to suppress the vapors coming from the gasoline. (48) Firefighters needed 1-hour to control this hazardous material incident. Officials from Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services (LUESA) and Federal Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) were notified and responded to the scene. No injuries were associated with this incident.

Submitted by:
Rob Brisley Captain PIO
Office of Public Affairs