Wednesday, August 8, 2012
AT 1637 hours Engine 82 was alerted to 6330 Carrington Ct, in Company 38's area, for a house on fire with people trapped. Units from 33, 38, and 8 all turned into the block at about the same time and were ready to go to work as a column of smoke could be seen from a distance. Units were met with heavy smoke and fire conditions involving the first floor and part of the second floor of a brick duplex, a critically burned patient in front, and several neighbors confirming children trapped on the second floor. Engine 82 picked up E33's line and then ran their 400 foot attack line up the street. As E33 knocked the porch and made a push inside, the crew from 8 followed them in hitting hot spots as they made their way to the steps to head to the second floor. While the crew was getting the line in position to ascend the stairs, a member of Company 8 pushed past the nozzleman in an attempt to locate the children. After a quick search both children were found unconscious and not breathing. A 5 year old female was handed out a rear window to an awaiting fireman on a ladder and a 15 year old male was taken out a window and down a ladder by a member of Company 8 and 33. Both were rushed down the street where the 5 year old was handed off to the driver of Engine 82 where he and another member from Company 8 continued CPR on the floor of A33 while waiting on EMS personnel and the other member who brought down the teen male assisted with CPR on him. All 3 patients were taken to a local hospital. The rest of the crew continued hitting hot spots and wetting everything down until the line burned through but by then most everything was out. Engine 82 also ended up supplying E37 as well. An EMS task force and Fire Task Force were called to assist on the call as well. Pulses were restored in both children however the 5 year old died a few hours later and the teen age male died the following day. The adult male remains hospitalized in critical condition with 3rd degree burns over 50% of his body. The cause was determined to be accidental and electrical in nature. Engine 82 picked up in about 2.5 hours and then returned to service in an additional 30 minutes after a mandatory debriefing at Company 38.
Although the outcome wasn't ideal, it was good work under the conditions present by all fire and EMS members involved in this incident. Our prayers go out to the families and anyone affected by this tragedy.
