Hot Shots 5/21

BEXAR COUNTY, TX, FEB. 19—First-due crews of the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Fire Department initiated an aggressive interior attack on what turned out to be a five-alarm fire at an apartment complex amid wintry conditions. While checking for extension, members found heavy fire throughout the walls of the complex. An order to abandon the interior attack and to take a defensive posture was issued when frozen and dead hydrants restricted water pressure. Command ultimately requested a Tender Task Force from fire departments in both Bexar County and Guadalupe County to start tanker shuttle operations. Among the departments that provided mutual aid were the Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department, the Bracken Volunteer Fire Department, Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS, the Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department, the San Antonio Fire Department, Schertz Fire Rescue and Shavano Park Fire & EMS.

Photo by Zackery Newton

Michael Meadows X Xx 21 Los Angeles Vacant Comm Pic 9 V2

LOS ANGELES, APRIL 3—One hundred and seventy Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters were on scene to extinguish a fire in a single-story row of at least three commercial buildings under a contiguous roof. The inside of the structure turned out to be more complicated than the initial expectation that firefighters would encounter only a furniture manufacturing operation. The approximately four-hour effort to extinguish the fire included the deployment of the department’s industrial robotic firefighting vehicle, which is capable of flowing 2,500 gpm and provides high-definition video feedback. When the LAFD debuted the robot in October 2020, it said that large commercial fires were a target for the robot’s use.

Photo by Michael Meadows

Jon Tenca 3 13 21 Louisville Vacant Bldg Pic 5

LOUISVILLE, KY, MARCH 13—Louisville Fire Department firefighters were dispatched to the Old Louisville section of the city, and upon arrival at the Greater New Hope Community Church, crews found heavy smoke and heavy fire. They requested a box, and then a second alarm was struck, because heavy fire was found burning inside. Ultimately, fire burned through the roof, which collapsed partially. Only a defensive attack was called. Approximately one hour and forty-five minutes into the effort, at least 70 firefighters were on scene. The building opened in 1929 as the Keneseth Israel Synagogue. It is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

Photo by Jon Tenca

Tod Sudmeier 4 9 21 Location Unknown Comm Fire Pic 2

SAN BERNARDINO, CA, APRIL 9—San Bernardino County Fire Protection District crews arrived to find smoke showing from the rear of a vacant multistory commercial building. Crews initiated an offensive attack, focusing their effort on a search for potential victims and on locating the fire. Interior crews coordinated their efforts with truck crews on the roof, who performed vertical ventilation. Construction features, downed power lines and forcible entry issues complicated the fire attack. Conditions deteriorated, which led to an operational retreat. At one point, there was an explosion inside of the rear of the building. Interior crews and truck crews retreated out of the building and off of the roof. The change of strategy brought large volumes of water to be applied to the building from ladder pipes and exterior hose streams.

Photo by Tod Sudmeier