Niagara Falls
Fire Department
For the period of Friday January 22, 2010 to Thursday January 28, 2010 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 106 calls for assistance.
• FIRE: The 400 block of 27th Street was the scene of a fire that sent one city resident to the hospital with minor burns Sunday. Just before 5:30 p.m., fire units were dispatched for what was originally reported to be a kitchen fire. Firefighters found minor smoke coming from the residential building and found the remains of a mattress that had recently been on fire. Firefighters confirmed the fire had been extinguished and also began to treat the adult male who was suffering from burns to the torso and lower extremities. Further investigation revealed the cause of the fire was smoking material that had come in contact with bedding. The burn patient was transported to Memorial Medical Center for additional treatment.
n incident: Sunday’s warmer temperatures accompanied by rain caused much of the remaining snow and ice to melt. A residence in the 1200 block of 92nd Street had a large chunk of accumulated snow and ice fall from their roof striking the gas meter to the home. This resulted in damage to the meter and an uncontrolled flow of gas. The highly flammable gas filled the air, as well as seeped into the home causing a very dangerous condition. The crew from Engine 9 was able to shut off the gas and contacted National Fuel to respond to the scene. Firefighters made sure that no accumulated gas remained within the structure before returning to service.
• MEDICAL EMERGENCY: At 10:21 A.M. Tuesday, fire units were dispatched to a commercial building in the 300 block of 6th Street for a medical emergency. On arrival firefighters were informed that the patient was up on the 10th floor and was reported to be in cardiac arrest. On reaching the patients room fire department EMT’s confirmed that the patient had no pulse and was absent of respirations. The automated external defibrillator was attached to the patient while CPR was administered along with supplemental oxygen. Once the ambulance arrived the patient was packaged for transport and taken to Memorial Medical Center.
• WATER LEAK: The January thaw, along with heavy rains, continued through the early part of the week and some residents of the city experienced water migrating into their homes. At 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, Falls firefighters were alerted to respond to a home in the 400 block of 12th Street for an electrical emergency. Firefighters found water leaking into the basement and coming into contact with some nearby electrical outlets. Firefighters were able to secure the electrical service and informed the resident that the electric should not be restored until a qualified electrician was able to affect repairs.
• NOTE: The extreme cold has once again settled in and some residents in the city turn to a variety of methods to remain warm. During the last cold snap, the members of the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to a number of incidents in which residents were either using supplemental heating devices or some other means to stay warm. In at least two of these incidents the resulting fire was so serious that the residents were displaced from their homes. City residents are reminded that they should never use their stove or oven for additional heat. If you use portable heaters make sure that they are used with adequate ventilation and that you place the proper fuel in the heater. Use only appliances that are certified for use by a third party such as the UL. If residents have any questions they may call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 286-4728 during normal business hours.
