House Fire on City’s Southside

On November 28, 2011 At 5:47 AM, Richmond firefighters were dispatched to the 2100 Block of Edwards Ave. on the City’s Southside, for a reported house fire. Units arrived on scene to find a two story wood framed home with heavy fire visible on the first and second floors. Firefighters initially operated in a defensive fire attack mode due to the progression of the fire prior to their arrival. While attempting to extinguish the blaze, firefighters noted a partial collapse of the second floor. No injuries were reported, and no one was home at the time of the fire. Virginia Power was notified for a “live” power line that had burned through and subsequently dropped into the front yard of the residence. The fire was marked under control in just under an hour, but not before causing an estimated $150,000 in damages. The Fire Investigations Unit has determined the fire to be Arson, in nature.

Building Fire 3700 Block of Hull Street

At 1004 hours Richmond Fire was alerted to a building fire in the 3700 block of Hull Street. Quint 17 arrived on scene to find a single story commercial building with smoke showing from side A. Quint 17 took the hydrant across the street and began forcible entry into the building. While units were engaged in fire attack they found six puppies and they were removed. Richmond Ambulance Authority and fire personnel provided oxygen to the puppies using the pet rescue mask. The fire was marked under control at 1020. The fire caused about $2,500 in damages and is under investigation.

Two People Injured in Early Morning Fire

On June 14 at 0600 hours Q-15, Q-14, Q-5, Q-16, Rescue 1, Safety 2 and BC 1 were dispatched to the 3200 block of 5th Avenue for a reported house fire. Q-15 arrived on scene with smoke showing from the A-side of a two story duplex. Q-15 established command and secured a water source at the corner while launching an aggressive interior attack. Command later learned that four people jumped from the second floor and two of them required transport to an area hospital. The fire was marked under control at 0636 hours. A total of six people were at home, five of them requested the assistance of the Red Cross. The fire was ruled accidental and caused $50,000 in damages.

House Fire on Northside

On June 10 at 1703 hours, Richmond Fire and Emergency Services were alerted to a reported house fire in the 2600 block of The Plaza. E-14, Q-6, Q-15, E-5, Rescue 2, Safety 2 and BC 1 were dispatched. E-14 arrived on scene to find fire showing from the A-side of the structure on the second floor of a two story wood frame dwelling. Other units worked to check for extension and assisted E-14. The fire was marked under control at1734 hours. One person was treated by Richmond Ambulance for smoke inhalation. The fire remains under investigation.

On June 2 at 1316 hours, Quint 6 (Q-6) was dispatched to 1250 East Marshal Street for a car on fire on the third level of a seven story parking deck. Q-6 arrived on scene with a lot of smoke showing from a parking deck. Q-6 established command and established a water source. Q-6 used the truck as an elevated standpipe stretching handlines from the tip of the ladder. Additional companies came in to assist them, as they responded to several fire alarms on the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) campus of Medical College of Virginia. The original call reported that a car had smoke coming from the engine compartment. Q-6 and E-5 advanced several handlines as they found three cars on fire. Units remained on scene until 1700 hours assisting VCU police and fire investigators.

Early Morning Accident with Entrapment

At 0811 hours on May 31st, Richmond Fire units were dispatched to the intersection of Maury Street and East 17th Street for a two car accident. Rescue 3 arrived on scene to find a truck on its side and a car that had damage on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Rescue 3 reported that they had one person trapped and quickly stabilized the vehicle and began extricating the person. Quint 17 stretched a handline as Quint 6 assessed the patient. The person was extricated in about 10 minutes and was checked by Richmond Ambulance Authority. Units remained on scene until 1000 hours.

Richmond Fire Handles School Bus Accident

On May 31st at 1350 hours, Richmond Fire units were dispatched to the 1800 block of Commerce Road for a school bus accident. Rescue 3 arrived on scene to find a school bus had hit a power pole and then struck a truck parked in the parking lot. Rescue 3 requested Virginia Power and advised that they had two people on a school bus that were injured. Members of Rescue 3, Quint 21 and Quint 17 worked together to remove the patients from the bus. Only one person required transport to the hospital. The bus driver swerved to avoid hitting a man on a moped. The street remained closed until 6 p.m.

RFD Receives Governor's Fire Service Awards

On Saturday, February 26, the 2010 Governor’s Fire Service Awards were presented to recipients in eight categories during the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association’s Expo & Symposium opening ceremonies. The event was held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The Governor's Fire Service Awards were established in 2002 as a formal recognition of excellence in Virginia's Fire Services. Nominees are carefully reviewed and selected by the Virginia Fire Services Board Executive Committee and forwarded to the Governor through the Secretary of Public Safety for final approval. The awards are presented annually each February.

This year we were fortunate to receive two of the eight awards. The Fire Prevention Division received the award for Excellence in Virginia’s Fire Prevention for their programs and accomplishments. The Metro Richmond Fire Training Chiefs received the award for Excellence in Virginia’s Fire Service Training relating to the regional training initiative. It is quite an honor to be recognized by our peers and receive these awards. Please take a minute to congratulate the staff members from both Divisions on their accomplishments.

Vehicle Into A Building

On February 14th at 1110 hours Rescue 1 was dispatched to 1602 Jennie Scher Road for a vehicle into an apartment building. A contractor that was cutting down trees indicated that they parked the truck and set the brake and was loading the truck when it rolled into the building. No one was injured. The building official did condemn the building. Rescue 1 cleared at 1340 hours.

Busy Day For Richmond Fire

Valentine’s day proved to be a very busy day for Richmond Fire starting just before 9:30 a.m. when units were dispatched to the 3400 block of W. Franklin Street for a house fire. Engine 18 arrived on scene with a 2-story masonry constructed house with heavy smoke showing. Units entered the house and found fire in a room in the rear of the house. The fire was contained to room of origin. Several animals were rescued from the house. The fire was marked under control at 10:10 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

At 10:49 a.m. units were dispatched to 7101 Forest Hill Ave for a report of a ½ acre brush fire. Battalion 4 was in the area and arrived on scene within two minutes of the call and requested two more units to assist Q-20 with the fire. E-22, Brush 22, Quint 23, Quint 25 and Foam Tanker 25 were added to the assignment. The fire was marked under control at 11:17 a.m.

Early Morning Fire Claims A Life

Richmond Fire units were dispatched to the 1800 block of Peter Paul Blvd at 12:13 a.m. for a reported house fire.  Quint 11 arrived on scene with smoke showing from a brick rancher.  Units forced the front door and found a victim a few feet inside the door.  The victim was removed and declared dead at the scene.  The fire was marked under control at 12:36 a.m.  The fire is under investigation.

Two Escape House Fire without Injury

On Sunday, January 23 at 1621 hours Quint Companies 14, 11, 16, 6, Rescue 2, Safety 2 and Battalion Chief 2 responded for a report of a house fire in the 2900 block of Woodcliff Ave. Q-14 arrived on scene with a two-story wood frame structure with heavy fire showing from the C-side. Q-14 established a water supply and took command launching an aggressive interior fire attack.  The occupant of the house was able to safely escape the structure with his pet. The fire was marked under control at 1711 hours. The Red Cross assisted two residents as a result of this fire. The fire is under investigation.

Two Escape Cooking Fire

On Monday, January 10th, 2010 at 1643 hours Quint 22, Quint 17, Quint 20, Quint 23, Rescue 3, Safety 2 and Battalion Chief 3 were called to 2918 Bertram Road for the reported kitchen on fire. Q-22 arrived on scene with fire showing from the B/C corner of a masonry-constructed rancher. Q-22 established command of the incident and launched an aggressive interior attack. Q-17 arrived shortly after securing a second hydrant and laid into the scene and performed Truck Operations as Q-20 was assigned the Rapid Intervention Team. Q-23 assisted with interior operations. Two people were at home when the fire started and were able to escape the fire without injury.

The working fire was declared bring in E-13, Q-24, Air Light 5 and BC-4. The fire was marked under control at 1704 hours. The fire was ruled accidental. The Red Cross was called to assist four people from this incident.

Two Escape Late Night Fire in Richmond

At 11:20 p.m. Richmond Fire units were alerted to a house fire at the intersection of 2nd Ave and Pulaski. Q15 arrived on scene in less than 2 minutes and reported heavy fire showing from side-A on the second floor of a two story wood frame structure. Q-15 and Q-14 launched an aggressive interior attack as Quint 5 performed truck company operations and Engine 6 was established as the Rapid Intervention Team. Rescue 2 performed a search of the house. Battalion 1 arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident.

Battalion 2, Q-16, E-11, and Air Light 11 was added to the working fire assignment. Heavy fire forced crews to evacuate the structure and begin defensive operations. The fire was marked under control at 12:06 a.m. Crews remained on scene unit 3:00 a.m.

The Red Cross was called in to assist the family. The fire is ruled accidental, electrical in nature.