2 Fires in the Same Apartment Complex

April 7 proved to be a busy day for Richmond Fire and Emergency Services with 2 fires in the same block only hours apart. The first call was at 16:47, Q-22, Q-21, Q-23, Q-20, Rescue 3, Safety 2 and BC-3 responded to the 3700 block of Guilder lane for a reported apartment fire. Q-22 arrived on scene and established command with smoke showing from a 2 story apartment building. Q-22 entered the structure and discovered fire on the second floor and in the attic of the apartment. Q-21 secured a secondary hydrant and was assigned as the Truck Company while Q-23 checked one of the exposure apartments.  Rescue 3 and Q-23 personnel removed a bed ridden female from an exposure apartment.  The female was assessed by the Richmond Ambulance Authority and did not need to be transported. The fire was marked under control at 17:10. The Red Cross was called to assist a total of 10 people.

While Q-22 was waiting for the Red Cross to assist the families affected by the first fire, they were alerted to a fire in the next set of apartments some 100 feet away from the first fire. The same units were dispatched to the second apartment fire at 18:39. Battalion 3 arrived on location with smoke showing. The fire was marked under control at 6:55 p.m. Both fires were ruled accidental.

In both fires, a contractor was on location doing some type of repair work were combustible material was ignited.

West End Apartment Fire Contained to One Unit

April 7 at 1546 hours Q-18, Q-12, Q-19, Rescue 2, Safety 2 and BC-2 were dispatched to the intersection of South Crenshaw and Cary St for the reported apartment fire. Q-12 arrived on scene with heavy smoke showing from a 2 story masonry constructed apartment building. Q-12 established command and launched an aggressive interior attack as Q-18 performed Truck Company Operations. Q-19 was assigned fire attack on division 1 as E-5 was assigned as RIT. A search of the building by Rescue 2 proved negative. The fire was brought under control at 1611 hours. The fire was ruled accidental.

Units Response to Hydraulic Fluid Leak

April 7th at 1358 hrs Richmond Fire units were dispatched to the intersection of Albemarle and S. Pine Street for a refuse truck that had lost about 50 to 60 gallons of hydraulic fluid. Units arrived on scene and discovered a trail of fluid for about a block and a half. A sand truck was requested and a clean up contractor arrived on scene and cleaned up the fluid. Units returned to service around 1630 hours.

Richmond Fire Handles Head On Accident

At 8:03 on 05/06/2010 units were dispatched to the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue and Chippenham Parkway for the accident with entrapment. Q-20 arrived on scene with a two car head on accident with one of the vehicles on its side. Q-20 quickly determined that no one was trapped and returned all units to service. Q-20 remained on scene assisting Richmond Ambulance Authority with patient care and also handled hazards associated with the accident. Q-20 remained on scene until 9:30 a.m.

Southside House Fire

On May 3rd, at 1509 hours units were dispatched to the 1500 block of Sunbury Road for the reported house fire. Q-22 arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from the A side of a brick rancher. A quick search of the house proved negative as units continued to combat the fire. The fire was marked under control at 1534 hours. The fire is still under investigation.