First On Scene At House Fire, Aurora, CO 4/18/14

[Guest]

At 03:46 I woke up to tones for a smoke investigation a few blocks from my house.  The first due Engine read their MDT notes and requested a full structure fire response, so I was out the door.  Approaching the scene the breeze smelled like a legit fire and there was a light haze in the street.  Aurora Police arrived just after I did and parked pretty close.  Walking up alarms were sounding and light, laminar smoke was showing from both floors... The homeowner owner opened every window before he evacuated. 

 

   

 

Engine 13's crew stepping off...

   

[Guest]

Engine 13's Lieutenant politely asking a Police Officer to move his patrol car out of the way.

   

[Guest]

The homeowner was out front and said smoke was coming from his kitchen outlets.  13's crew went in for a quick recon and could see a working fire on the exterior.  They stretched a 1 3/4" line to the charlie side where a well involved deck fire was quickly knocked.  I didn't have any access to capture the rear.

 

   

[Guest]

A second line was pulled inside and Truck 14 went interior to open up. Smoke conditions started getting a little heavier. 

   

[Guest]

   

[Guest]

The crew of Cunningham Engine 63 prepares to go in and assist with opening up the charlie side wall.

   

 

Engine 13's Lieutenant retained command.  Battalion 3 went interior and Battalion 2 took Safety.

   

[Guest]

Engine 15 laid LDH to supply Engine 13.

   

[Guest]

Battalion Chief 3 after everything was under control

   

[Guest]

All the extension was quickly contained and companies began picking up within 30 minutes.  Here Engine 63 takes up...

   

 

Last one showing the supply lay...

   

[nozzleman]

Great pictures thanks for sharing

[Guest]

Good series of photos, but what is "laminar smoke"? It's not in my dictionary.

[maxim]

Not turbulent smoke. Just kind of floating.

 

I had never heard of it as part of a size up either, but those folks in Colorado are pretty high up in the stratosphere, not sure if it is the altitude or other considerations.

 

As ususaly Chief Toneslider did a great job.  If you are ever in Denver look him up he is a great guy and buff.

[hank]

Good photos!

 

tHANKs

[Guest]

Good series of photos, but what is "laminar smoke"? It's not in my dictionary.

All of us Colorado Firefighting folks learned that term from Dave Dodson's "The Art of Reading Smoke" training.  Dave was originally from Colorado but he has taken the training across the country.  Sizing up smoke can help paint a good picture of what's going on inside the structure like what stage the fire is in, fire load, location etc. 

 

 

 

Not turbulent smoke. Just kind of floating.

 

I had never heard of it as part of a size up either, but those folks in Colorado are pretty high up in the stratosphere, not sure if it is the altitude or other considerations.

 

As ususaly Chief Toneslider did a great job.  If you are ever in Denver look him up he is a great guy and buff.

 

We typically have a few reading smoke classes around Denver every year.  Those combined with Brunacini's Blue Card and our Initial Radio Reports have gotten quite in depth.  Number of floors, size based on 200' pre-connect length, voicing if there is a basement or walkout basement, conditions showing, strategy, initial tactics and command name.  Once the IC completes the 360 a follow up report is given which may only confirm the initial radio report and nothing more, or new information may be shared that changes strategy or tactics.  Using this incident here's an example of what the standard on scene report is around most of the Denver area...

 

Dispatch Engine 13 on scene, small two story single family with a basement, light laminar smoke showing from both floors, offensive strategy, investigating, in command on the alpha side.

 

Follow up report after 360...

 

Dispatch Engine 13, 360 complete working deck fire with extension, advancing an 1 3/4" for fire attack to the charlie side, Truck 14 enter through the alpha side for primary search.

 

Thanks maxim, I always enjoy buffing with visitors!

[gmuhr]

Great stuff!