Littleton, CO Hoarding House Fire 1/12/13

[Guest]

Around 11:00 a neighbor called 911 and reported smoke coming from the house next door. First arriving Battalion Chief 1 found smoke showing from the roof of a single story, single family dwelling and the windows appeared boarded. The neighbor reported the occupants out of town and smoke was pouring out of the air vents. Squirt 12 advanced a 1 3/4 line to the alpha side while Medic 11 opened up the charlie side for positive pressure attack.

   

[Guest]

Once inside, Squirt 12 discovered a basement fire with hoarding conditions throughout. A back up 1 3/4 line was requested to the Charlie side quickly followed by a 2 1/2.

   

[Guest]

Companies inside made an initial knock and conditions briefly improved. A primary search was determined to be nearly impossible due to the debris in the basement. Here's a view of the A/D basement window...

   

[Guest]

Littleton & South Metro Safety Officers discussing tactics

   

[Guest]

Initially the attic checked clear of extension, but smoke conditions began getting worse.

   

[Guest]

PPA was stopped at this point and companies started to pull ceiling

   

[Guest]

Engine 15 performs vertical ventilation

   

[Guest]

   

[Guest]

The temperature outside was 15 degrees... The boys from 23 were steaming quite good after interior attack

   

[Guest]

LFR's acting Battalion Chief and Incient Commander

   

[Guest]

Smoke conditions began to deteriorate again and interior crews were unable to access the main body of fire.

   

[Guest]

Crews had been operating for over an hour and structural integrity was being questioned prompting a withdraw and transition to defensive attack.

   

[Guest]

Although it wasn't visible for my camera, South Metro's Safety Officer was observing flashover conditions in the basement with his TIC after everyone had just exited the structure and a PAR was being conducted.

   

[Guest]

Flames quickly burned through the first floor

   

[Guest]

Both 1 3/4 lines and the 2 1/2 were flowed from 3 sides and quickly knocked the fire, but extensive overhaul was still needed.

   

[Guest]

Crews flowed the lines into the basement for about 15 minutes until no more smoke was visible from outside

   

[Guest]

Last shot... The 5 inch supply running down Littleton Blvd

   

[hank]

Good photos!



tHANKs

[Guest]

Nice shots!

[Guest]

gotta love PPV fire attack..nothing like moving the fire into areas it hasn't consumed yet...