Early Morning Fire Claims A Life

On November 20th at 0703 hours, Quint 14, Quint 15, Engine 5, Engine 6, Rescue 2, Safety 2 and BC 1 were called to the 1900 block of Rose Ave for the reported house fire with a person trapped. Phone calls poured into the Emergency Communications Division claiming that an elderly man was inside the house. Quint 14 arrived on location with heavy fire showing from Division 2 of a 2 story wood-frame structure. Command was passed to the next incoming company as Quit 14’s crew entered the structure to search for the victim. The victim was removed from the structure where he was pronounced dead. Engine 5’s crew performed Truck Company Operations as Quint 15 assisted with fire attack. Rescue 2 arrived on scene and conducted a search of the house. The working fire was declared bringing Quints 16 and 10 to the scene. Conditions deteriorated forcing the evacuation of firefighters from the structure. Once all personnel were out, defensive operations begin. The fire was marked under control at 0752 hours. Fire investigators remained on scene until 1330 hours, and ruled the incident accidental in nature.

Fatal House Fire in Richmond

On Sunday, December 27th at 1757 E-15, Q-14, Q-5, Q-16, R-2, Safety 2, and BC-1 were dispatched to the 2800 block of 3rd Avenue for a reported house fire. While units were responding to this call they received additional information that a man on crutches was stuck on the second floor. At 1801, Engine 15 arrived on scene with a 2-story wood frame house with the second floor fully involved. Engine 15 established a water supply and performed fire attack as Q-14 performed Truck Company Operations. Q-5 progressed to the second floor to assist with fire attack while Q-16 was assigned as the Rapid Intervention Crew. Members of Rescue 2 performed a search of the house, locating one person deceased on the second floor.

There are a total of six people who lived at this address. The Red Cross assisted four people who were displaced by the fire. The fire is still under investigation at this time. The body was transported to the medical examiners office for identification.

The fire was brought under control at 1835. This is the second fatal fire in the City of Richmond this year.

Fatal Fire in Richmond

At 06:16 on December 8th, units were dispatched to the 1400 block of Lynhaven Aveune for a reported house fire. While units were en route to this call they received additional information indicating that an elderly wheelchair-bound person was possibly still inside. Rescue 3 arrived on location to find a 1½ story wood frame structure with heavy fire showing from the B and D side of the house. Rescue 3 forced entry into the structure as Q-21 secured a water source and launched an aggressive fire attack. Q-17 performed truck company operations, Q-22 assisted with fire attack and Q-20 was assigned as the RIT team. Units discovered fire in the basement area of the house as well as on the first floor and in the attic of the house. The fire was brought under control at 06:53 hours.

Rescue 2 was called in on a special request to help shore up the kitchen area of the house, which received heavy damage as a result of the fire. The fire was determined to have started in the kitchen and was ruled accidental.