Dwelling Fire on Deibert Lane in Jackson Township

Thanks to Troy for the pics

Trying this one more time

I am going to once again try and post some pics on here. Will try to keep it interesting and get some visitors to the site. Unfortunetly I still cannot post pics of my FD calls but my work has me all over the place and I can sometimes get pics while out and about. Will do my best.

Pittston Township PA Luzerne County Fire

Was in the area and caught this job. Nothing great but it made the day a little more interesting. Beleive the car caught fire which caused minimal damage to the house.

Jim Thorpe PA Tractor Trailer Accident

Some pictures I got while driving through Jim Thorpe, PA. Amazingly noone was hurt.

West End Fire Company Presents:
Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder
Scared Straight Seminar

Thursday Oct. 4th, 2007

1800 - 2200hrs

Pleasant Valley High School Auditorium
Located off Rt209 in Brodheadsville, Monroe Cnty. Pa

Sponsored by: NEPA Joint Counter Terrorism Task Force

Attendance is limited to 2000 people and will be on a first come first serve basis.
For additional information Phone (570) 992-4121 Donald Zipp or Chief Brian Snyder

Also check out www.firefighterclosecalls.com

I'm Back.. and we have had a busy week.

SUN VALLEY — Fire marshals are investigating the cause of a fire that brought a home being constructed in Chestnuthill Township down to its foundations late Monday night.
The house was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene at 1109 Fir Road around 9 p.m.
"There were big booms, it sounded like gas cans exploded," said Terry Frey, who lives across the street from the house and watched the fire. "It was completely in flames, the whole house from end to end."
Assistant Chief John McKeever of the West End Fire Co. said it took firefighters about 15 minutes to knock down the structure and then a short while longer before the flames could be extinguished.
The house was uninhabited at the time and no injuries were reported.McKeever said fire marshals had been called and the cause would be under investigation



Drunk pedestrian hit by vehicle on Toll Road in Chestnuthill Township

'August 29, 2007'
August 29, 2007
CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP — A drunk pedestrian was taken to the hospital Monday night after being hit by a vehicle on Toll Road, north of Lakeside Drive, state police at Fern Ridge said.
At 11:06 p.m., Anthony Scott Donahue, 36, of Effort, and another pedestrian, both of whom were drinking alcoholic beverages, were talking to a PPL driver who had just finished servicing a transformer near where a fire had just occurred, police said.
Donahue and the two others were standing in the road on the driver's side of the PPL truck, which was facing south in the southbound lane with its headlights on.A northbound 2003 Kia Sedona, driven by Stanley Long III, 31, of Kunkletown, slowed down upon approaching the truck due to Long being unable to see because of the truck's headlights. At that point, Donahue stepped out into the northbound lane and was hit by Long.


CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP — Maritza Curtis awoke from a nap at about 11 a.m. Wednesday in her Cedar Lane home in Sherwood Forest and smelled smoke.
Curtis was wondering where the smell was coming from when her daughter Tatiana, 6, came and told her, "Mommy, there's something orange coming out of the room."
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Mom, three kids, pet dog, escape fire that destroys home
Tatiana was referring to flames coming from one of the two bedrooms occupied by her and her brothers Christopher, 10, and Xavier, 4.
"I saw the fire and told the kids to get out of the house," Curtis said later, sitting in tears on her neighbor's porch as firefighters trained hoses on the bi-level house she and her family had been renting. "I grabbed the fire extinguisher, but I couldn't maneuver it. So, I left it and called 911 and went to make sure the kids were all out safe."
The fire spread to the attic before firefighters arrived and were able to keep the entire house from burning to the ground.

Curtis' tears were a mix of loss over the house and gratitude that she, her children and their 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier, Dash, escaped unharmed.
"The important thing is you're all OK," neighbor Grigore Rodica told Curtis in a soothing tone with a comforting arm around her. "Property can be replaced. Lives can't."
Rodica was next door, having coffee with her visiting cousin, Julia Minga, when both women heard Curtis screaming.
"We ran next door and saw flames coming through the (bedroom) windows," Rodica said. "Everyone was out of the house. (Curtis) just kept screaming. She didn't know what to do."
Neighbor Dennis Rosadio, who lives across the street, heard the screaming, saw the fire, rushed over with his own fire extinguisher and went into the house as the flames continued to spread.

"I went to the room where the fire was and saw the flames on the floor and the curtains," Rosadio said. "I hit it with the extinguisher, but the room got so smoky I just crouched down and got back out of there."
West End, Jackson Township, Sun Valley and Polk Township firefighters, West End Ambulance and state police were on scene.
"Once we got here, we went inside and began an aggressive attack," West End Fire Chief Brian Snyder said shortly before noon, by which time the fire had been brought under control. "Right now, it's too early to tell how this got started."
Alfredo Curtis later arrived on scene from his job in Lehigh County and hugged his wife and children upon seeing them all safe at the neighbor's. Maritza Curtis has a cousin living in Effort and the Red Cross has been contacted.
The Curtis family moved from Brooklyn, N.Y., to the Poconos and began renting the house in December. At the time of the fire, the family was trying to reach the owner in Queens, N.Y.





And thanks to the hail storm that blew through the other day I missed all of this because I was to busy with work.. oh well.

Thanks to the Poconorecord.com for the articles and photos.

Another Fire for Station 43

Stations 43 and 28 were dispatched to a reported house filling with smoke on Old Stage Coach Rd. 43-1-2 arrived on scene and found a smokecondition int he basement. Additional companies were called in due to low manpower during this day time call. Statiosn 35,39,23 were eventually added to the box. Upon entering the buillding 43-8 located a fire near a bed in the basement. Appears the fire started in that area and burned the bed as well as the wall then appeared to run out of air and was smoldeing upon entry. Crews completed overhaul and checked for extension. Given the heat and the manpower issues this definetly could have been a lot worse.

Article From Pocono Record

Onlookers free 11-year-old trapped under van
June 23, 2007CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP — An unidentified female was taken to the hospital after being pulled from beneath a vehicle that overturned Thursday on Jonas Road, according to reports.The accident occurred at about 8:40 p.m.As of Friday, state police at Fern Ridge had not released the official details of the accident.A caller told the Pocono Record that several motorists stopped and lifted the van enough so the victim's mother could pull her 11-year-old daughter from under the vehicle.The child's identity and condition were unknown as of Friday night.

Pompton lakes NJ FD 1st Due on Possible Commercial Fire

Got this picture from my brother. Pompton lakes covering for Riverdale who was at the Fire Academy was first in for a fire in a commercial building. From what I heard a fire started in one of the machines inside. No extension to the rest of the building.

Station 43 Responds to Rol Over with partial Ejection.

Units were dispatched to Joans Rd. near the Polk Township Line for a reported overturned van. 43-7 arrived on scene with a full size van on its side with a child that had been pinned under the van and pulled out by bystanders. Medevac was grounded due to weather. 43 EMTS stablized the patient for transport due to extended ETA for the ambulance.
The wreck could have been a lot worse given the fact that there were 5 people in a van including two children that only had two seats. People need to think before they drive around with family members bouncing around the back of a panel van.

Horrible Loss in Charleston South Carolina

9 FF's lost their lives last night fighting a blaze at a Furniture store.
Our thought and prayers go out to their families and loved ones.

Identities Released Of Nine Firefighters Killed In West Ashley Fire
From Live 5 News
The Charleston County coroner released the names of nine firefighters killed in a blaze at a furniture store on Savannah Highway in West Ashley. Charleston Coroner Rae Wooten released the names during a 2 p.m. Tuesday press conference. Below is each fireman's name, age, title and years with the fire department:William “Billy” Hutchinson: 48-years-old; Captain; 30 years of serviceMike Benke: 49-years-old; Captain; 29 years of serviceLouis Mulkey: 34-years-old; Captain; 11.5 years of serviceMark Kelsey: 40-years-old; Engineer; 12.5 years of serviceBradford “Brad” Baity: 37-years-old; Engineer; 9 years of serviceMichael French: 27-years-old; Asst. Engineer; 1.5 years of serviceJames “Earl” Drayton: 56-years-old; Fire Fighter; 32 years of serviceBrandon Thompson: 27-years-old; Fire Fighter; 4 years of serviceMelven Champaign: 46-years-old; Fire Fighter; 2 years of serviceAll firemen were employed by the City of Charleston Fire Department.Sofa Super Store owner Herb Goldstein says, “There are no words to express our sorrow. All of us at the Sofa Super Store are devastated and heartbroken by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of these heroic firefighters who lost their lives.”Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, who held a special news conference at 7 a.m. Tuesday, says it's hard to understand the magnitude of the loss. “They lost their lives fighting for the safety of our citizens,” says Mayor Riley. “To lose anyone is a tragedy. To lose nine is just a tragedy of immense proportions.”Riley says the firefighters were "brave, heroic, courageous'' and died carrying out their duties. Officials say firefighters rushed into the burning sofa superstore Monday night around 7 p.m. Two employees were rescued. Officials say one was rescued quickly and firefighters broke a hole through a wall to. Riley says, “They were in the building to make sure no one else was in there.”But, during their swift actions to save lives, something went horribly wrong. As smoke and flames consumed the building, the same firefighters who rushed in didn’t come out.“They fight fire. They extinguish fire, and they lost their lives fighting for the safety of our citizens,” says Mayor Riley.As their bodies were recovered, dozens of weary rescue personnel saluted them in tribute. "Nine brave, heroic, courageous firefighters of the City of Charleston have perished," says Mayor Riley. “This is a tragic event for our community."Mayor Joe Riley says there is -- no -- indication of arson. State and federal officials are investigating.Governor Mark Sanford has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on state buildings. He released this statement, “I'd ask each and every South Carolinian to join me, Jenny and the boys in keeping these nine families in our thoughts and prayers in the difficult weeks and months ahead."

43 with the Quick Knock on Potential Dwelling Fire

On June12th, a severe line of thunderstorms rolled through the area. Station 43 and 39 were dispatched to an auto alarm in the Sun Valley section of town. while responding to that call 43 was advised of a potential dwelling fire in the Birches III development. Station 39 handled the Auto Alarm with 43 heading to the second call with 27 also added.
43-4-4 with a crew of 3 arrived first with a Station 34 officer that happened to be in the area. Units on scene found a smoke condition inside the residence with smoke coming from the eaves of the home.
43-1-2 arrived on scene and deployed a 2.5" down the 200 foot driveway to the home to a gated wye to a 1 3/4" line
Crews entered the home with the Thermal Came and located a hot spot in the ceiling of the loft area on the second division. The Interior Crew made access to the ceiling area and located a small fire in the insulation with extension to the roof itself. This area was hit with the water can. Another crew made access tot he roof area and found it all clear.
The homeowners were very greatful for our quick action as the loft area contained numerous pieces of art paint by the homeowner.
Appers that a wire in the ceiling either shorted or had a surge through it causing the small fire. Great job by everyone on scene given the heavy downpours we had to work in.

News Report on the Fatal Fire

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=107867

Article on Fatal Fire

Man dies in Polk Township house fire
MARTA GOUGER and Eric MarkManaging Editor/Internet and Pocono Record WriterJune 09, 2007JONAS — State police are investigating a fire that claimed a man's life at a home on Dotters Corner Road in Polk Township early Friday afternoon.Bryan Owei, 52, was found dead just inside the front door of the home by Polk Township Volunteer firefighters, according to state police at Lehighton.A state trooper at the scene said a gas can was found in the house, but added the cause of the fire has not been determined.A state police fire marshal is investigating. An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.Owei was alone when the fire started, police said. His wife arrived on the scene later.Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched at 12:20 p.m. and the fire was out in less than an hour. Also on the scene were Sun Valley, West End and Penn Forest Township firefighters, as well as West End EMS, Wind Gap EMS and fire police.A neighbor, Mike Griffith, called in the fire."I came out and smelled smoke. It didn't smell like someone barbecuing," said Griffith, who lives next to the home where Owei died.Griffith said he could see smoke from between the trees that border his property. He headed out to the road and saw smoke coming from the upstairs bedroom, he said."I tried the door and it was locked," Griffith said. "I didn't see flames, just brown smoke. I wish there was more I could have done."Griffith said Owei and his wife lived in Jonas, but worked at a group home near Philadelphia for children with problems. The job required them to stay at the group home but whenever they had time off they came to the home in Jonas, Griffith said.The Oweis were foster parents at one time. Whenever they had picnics former foster children would come back, Griffith said, adding that he and Owei have been neighbors for five years."He was a really good neighbor. He tried to help whenever he could," he said.Griffith said he and his wife referred to Owei as "Snake Charmer" because once he found a tiny snake in the yard, but thought it was dangerous.Once he got over the fear, he would imitate a snake charmer when he saw a snake.Griffith once had a bat fly out of a bush over his head, so his neighbor called him "Batman.""I was Batman. He was snake charmer," Griffith said.

Station 43 Second Due on Fatal Fire

Just after 1pm Station 43 was dispatched with Station 35 for a reported dwelling fire on Dotters Corner Road. Initial reports came with possible entrapment. With this info Statiosn 39 and Carbon COunty Dist 12 were added to the call. 39-9-7 arrived on scene and confirrmed the entrapment. Crews entered through the front door and removed the home owner who was DOA. Crews made an initial attack on fire on the first floor. The crew from 43-6-1 took a second line to divisions 2 and 3 and completed a search and vented. No other victims were found. A firefighter was injured and transported to a local hospital.

State Police Fire Marshalls were on scene and the investigation continues. I will post more from news reports as I get them as allI can say this was not an ordinary fire.