HEAVY FIRE AGAIN IN MANASSAS PARK: THIS TIME FROM
MULTIPLE TOWNHOMES
July 08, 2007
–
Just after 0100 hours, a Manassas Park Police Officer
on patrol came over Park Fire Dispatch and advised he was on the
scene of a townhouse fire with multiple units involved.
Before the dispatcher could even set the box up, the
Wagon and Tower were half way to the 200 block of Kirby
Street, in the City of Manassas Park. Wagon 501 responded
as the 3rd due engine company on mutual box 89-01 while Tower 501 responded
as the 1st due truck. Wagon 501 arrived and secured the
water supply for Quint 509 while Tower 501 arrived and
set up shop on side A. Units went on the scene with
heavy fire in a total of 4 units. Upon arrival Wagon 509
made a strong push into the original fire building while the
Tower arrived and split up as the chauffer made his way
to the roof and inside crew joined up with Wagon 509.
With conditions almost intolerable, the Tower
crew pushed pass the hose line in a desperate attempt to
search for possible victims. At the same time, Wagon 501
stretched into the exposure as the fire was taking hold
of the rear and attic area of the involved
townhomes.
After about five minutes it was evident that interior
hand lines were going be no match for the gas fed volume
of fire that the crews were facing. It was at this time
that command ordered an emergency evacuation of the structure
and all crews withdrew. Ladder pipes from the Tower and
Quint 509 were placed into service and Prince
William County units
stretched hand lines to the rear and the fire began to
darken down. Crews were then once again able to reenter
the structures and finish up. An outstanding, aggressive
effort by all companies on the fireground kept this fire to four units and
not twelve. Quint 509 (Lt. Oliver) held the command until
the arrival of Chief 508 (Griffith). Units from Co. 1 operated till 6am before returning to service.
