3 Alarm Fire in Richmond's East End

On February 25th at 0323 hours; E-8, Q-11, Q-6, Q-13, Rescue 1, Safety 2, and BC 1 were dispatched to the 5200 block of Hatcher Road for the reported building fire with several explosions heard. E-8 arrived on scene to find a large industrial complex with heavy fire showing and explosions still being heard. BC-1 struck the second alarm and immediately requested the Hazardous Materials team to respond. As additional units arrived, they identified several compressed gas tanks near the fire and removed them to a safe area. Quints 11, 6, and 13 used elevated master stream devices to combat the fire. Once a working fire was declared, Q-5, Q-17, Air Light 11 and BC-2 were added to the assignment.


The second alarm brought in, E-12, Q-15, Rescue 3, Haz Mat 3, and BC-3 those units were utilized for a variety of operations, some of them being relay pumping. Two engines and a BC were requested from Henrico Fire to assist with relay pumping and fire ground operations. Resources quickly begin to be used and a third alarm was eventually struck bringing in Q-18, Q-23, Rescue 2, and a special request for E-24 and Tanker 24 to respond for water supply.



Units were able to remove several items before they sustained damage. Those items ranged from compressed gas cylinders to Port-A-Johns. CSX did have several cars located on nearby railroad tracks that contained several kinds of hazardous materials and they were about 50 to 60 yards away. The fire did extend to a pile of nearby tires, about 100 caught fire. Foam was used to suppress the tires that were on fire as the run off  was contained to a retention pond nearby. The Henrico Fire Hazardous Materials Team was added to the call and the EPA was notified as environmental concerns of the run off increased.

The fire was brought under control at 0613 hour. The investigation team and other units remained on scene well into the night. The fire is still under investigation.

Hull Street MVA with Entrapment

On February 23rd at 0759 hours, Q-17, Q-22, Rescue 3, Safety 2, Q-6 and BC-3 were dispatched to the intersection of Hull Street and Southside Plaza for a motor vehicle accident with one person trapped.  Q-17 arrived on scene and confirmed a SUV vs a light pole with entrapment.  Rescue 3 stabilized the vehicle as other companies performed the extrication.  The patient was removed from the vehicle in less than 30 minutes and transported to an area trauma center. Units remained on scene for a few hours to assist the police with crime scene investigation.  

One Person Escapes Fire without Injury.

On February 22nd, at 1431 hours, Q-20, Q-23, Q-17, Q-22, R-3, Safety 2 and BC-1 were dispatched to the 5600 block of Larrymore Rd for a caller who dialed 911 and stated “his house was on fire and hung up”. Q-23 arrived on scene to find a 2-story wood frame dwelling with flames visible on the first floor on the A-side of the structure.  Fire units were able to bring the fire under control at 1511 hours.  The fire is still under investigation and the Red Cross is assisting the family of 6 that was displaced by the fire. 

RFD Battles Southside Housefire

On February 16th at 1602 hours, Q-25, Q-24, Q-19, Q-20, R-3, Safety 2 and BC-3 were dispatched to the 10100 block of Merrimac Rd for a reported house fire.  Q-25 arrived on scene to find a 2-story residence with heavy fire on the A-side of division 2.  The fire extended to the attic area of the house.  The fire was brought under control at 1645 hours.  The fire is under investigation.

2nd Alarm Fire on the Northside

On January 29th at 1736 hours, Q-15, Q-14, Q-5, Q-6, R-1, Safety 2, and BC2 were dispatched to the 2300 block of 2nd Avenue for a porch on fire. Q-15 arrived on scene within 2 minutes and found a 2 story wood frame structure fully involved. Q-15 and Q-14 performed fire attack while Q-5 performed Truck Company Operations, Q-6 was assigned to the RIT and Rescue 1 did a primary search of the house. As conditions worsened units went from an aggressive interior attack to defensive operations. Units used several ladder pipes to knock the fire down and they later re-entered the house to extinguish the remaining fire. Units were able to bring the fire under control at 1856 hours.

One person was home at the time of the fire and was able to escape without injury. The fire was ruled accidental.

Richmond Fire Makes Rescue

On January 27th at 0200 hours, Q-14, Q-15, E-16, Q-5, R-2, Safety 2 and BC-1 were dispatched for a house fire in the 3100 block of Barton Ave. Q-14 assumed command of the incident and reported a 2 story wood frame residential structure with heavy fire showing on the C-side of the structure. A male met members of Q-14 and reported “my babies are inside”. Q-14 officer passed command to the next incoming unit and launched an interior search for the children. Q-15 performed fire attack, Q-5 performed truck company Operations, E-16 was assigned to the RIT and R-2 assisted with the search. Members of Q-5 rescued one male victim from Division 2 on the B-side of the structure using a ground ladder. One victim jumped to safety from the second floor porch area and the children safely escaped the fire. Q-6 and Q-12 were added to the assignment to provide relief for units on scene. The fire was marked under control at 0315. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.