Take a moment to view the video shown above. If you’d like, you can see or download it in high quality mp4 format (16.5MB).

The basic situation is an abandoned house on fire. We know it is abandoned from the “Build Your Own Lot” (for sale) sign right outside the doorway. The initial response seems to be a defensive attack, exposures are minimal, if any. The bulk of the flames are in the B side of the building.

Where things begin to be questionable
Notice how the situation changes into an offensive, interior attack, even while the exterior fire is not being dealt with. The immediate danger is that of a roof collapse, especially since fire is seen in the roof section of the low-profile structure. A lone firefighter is seen outside, presumably on standby for RIT (rapid intervention team). Notice also how the firefighters enter the building - a standard where I am, particularly in a one-story structure, is a low crouch. Also, a handline is stretched to the rear of the building, where I can only hope that water is not being forced upon the fire when crews are entering from the front.

In short, there is absolutely no use endangering the lives of firefighters in a structure that is not worth saving.

A firefighter walks into a cloud of smoke during a fire on Dorchester Street, in Montreal, Quebec, April 1985. Photo by John Jantak.

The above shot, entitled “Night Shift” was taken by Matthew Rice at a Frederick, Maryland, fire station.

The head of Khartoum airport medical services put the number of dead at 120.

Meanwhile, police deputy director general Al Adel Ajeb told local television he could confirm a total of 111 survivors.

“The operation to recover bodies from the plane is going on now. It is a difficult operation because some bodies are completely burnt and there are body parts,” he said.

The attempt to account for passengers was also being hampered by the fact some seemed to have left the airport amidst the chaos.

Some 203 passengers and 14 crew members were on board the Sudan Airways Airbus which left the runway at Khartoum airport as it landed, and then burst into flames.

Sudanese television broadcast pictures of the aircraft ablaze in the darkness while emergency crews used water hoses in a vain attempt to dampen the burning fuselage.

The building, which had been undergoing extensive renovations, was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The fire was first reported at 1:45 a.m. Central time, and firefighters arrived minutes later to find huge flames leaping from the structure, said Krista Piferrer, deputy press secretary to Gov. Rick Perry. The flames engulfed a portion of the building’s roof and sent clouds of smoke over the neighborhood.

More than 100 Austin firefighters responded and brought the fire under control by 11 a.m., The Dallas Morning News reported.

The London Fire Brigade on scene.
Photo by sebagudelo

In the city of Valencia, on the eastern coast of Spain, celebrations of the feast of Saint Joseph culminate in a large city-wide bonfire known as the Créma during which paper-maché figures are set alight. ouh_pinaise took this great shot, with firefighters on the standby to the left.

Report
00:04 - April 27, 2008: Montgomery County fireboard (”county”) dispatches Station 53, Lower Providence Fire Department, to 6007 Shady Wood Circle for a house struck by lightning.
- Neighbors call fire emerging from rear of the house and smoke inside.
- Police report heavy smoke.
- Engine 53 to hit the hydrant.
00:15 - 53 Command is established.
2 engines and a ladder requested. Engine/Squad 34 (Collegeville), Engine/Tower 63 (Oaks).
01:30 - Fire placed under control.
~ 03:30 - Units cleared from the scene.

Perspective
Photos courtesy of Lower Providence Fire.

On-Scene
Engine 53, Tower 53, Engine/Squad 34, Engine/Tower 63.

Description of fire and additional notes
2-story wood-frame single-family dwelling struck by lightning. Heavy smoke condition, high heat, fire in the basement and close to zero visibility left the crew no choice but to back out of the residence. Fire extended to ceiling beams. The first method of attack was ventilation from the second floor. Note how they decide to switch to the “Event 4″ channel, which allows them to dedicate one radio channel to the fireground without interruption. The units had some initial difficulty finding the origins of the fire.

Location

Report
02:25 - April 27, 2008: Philadelphia’s fireboard dispatched units to a fire from a two-story building at 5129 W. Columbia Avenue.
02:44 - Fire placed under control.

Perspective

On-Scene
Engine 16, Ladder 24, Ladder 13 (RIT - Rapid Intervention Team), Medic 3, Squad 47

Description of fire and additional notes
15 x 45 occupied two-storied dwelling with fire showing in rear section. Primary search is reported negative.

Location