Niagara Falls
Fire Department
Calls for service
For the period of Nov. 6 to 19, the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 239 calls.
• FIRE: At 2:38 a.m. Nov. 6, fire units from both the Ontario Avenue and 10th Street Fire Stations responded to a vehicle fire in the 1000 block of Ontario Avenue. On arrival, fire units were met with a well involved blaze involving a 1996 Chevrolet. Hoselines were quickly deployed to extinguish the blazing vehicle which, despite firefighter's efforts, suffered extensive damage. Fire investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze and turned up evidence that pointed to an intentionally set fire on the interior of the vehicle that may have been started to cover up a suspected break-in.
• FIRE: The sound of sirens shattered the early morning calm on Nov. 6, as fire units were dispatched at 7:19 a.m. to the 4800 block of University Court for a fire in a residential structure. On arrival, firefighters were informed by the occupants that they believed that the fire, which originated in the kitchen, was out. Firefighters found evidence that a roll of paper towels was left on the stove and the towels were ignited when the burners on the stove were turned on. While most of the damage was confined to the stove-top, there was some minor extension to the wall of the kitchen. Fire investigators issued a smoke detector violation to the responsible party as there was no indication of a working smoke alarm on the premise. The fire was considered to be accidental in nature.
• INCIDENT: Firefighters at the Ontario Avenue Fire Station were alerted just after 1 a.m. Nov. 7 to respond to the 2000 block of Main Street for a reported shooting. Members of the Niagara Falls Police Department already had secured the scene, which allowed fire department EMTs to rapidly begin to work on the patient. They found a male with a severe gunshot wound to his left leg, who had already lost a significant amount of blood. The victim was bandaged and transported to a local medical facility, where he died due to his injury.
• FIRE: At 6:43 a.m. Nov. 8, Engine 8, operating out of the Royal Avenue Fire Station was alerted to respond to a reported field fire in the area of Royal Avenue and 47th Street. On arrival, they found a vehicle in the middle of the field, completely involved in fire. Using water carried on the fire apparatus, firefighters were able to gain control of the fire before it was able to spread to a significant portion of the dry field grass. Investigators determined the vehicle was stolen from another location, driven to the field and intentionally set on fire. This incident is still under investigation by members of the Fire Prevention Bureau.
• FIRE: The air in the 1800 block of Pierce Avenue filled with smoke as firefighters found themselves responding to a reported structure fire at 3:05 p.m. Nov. 11. On arrival, firefighters found a well-involved fire that was pushing out of numerous windows and reports of at least one fire victim in need of medical care. Firefighters deployed multiple hoselines into the building in attempts to cut off the vertical fire extension in the structure. Search crews determined the lone occupant of the building, despite suffering injuries that included smoke inhalation and burns, made it out of the building. An energized electrical line presented some challenges to fire units and emergency assistance was requested from National Grid. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage and the Red Cross was called to assist the remaining residents of the home.
• INCIDENT: Deadly carbon monoxide gas filled an apartment in the 3300 block of Ninth Street on Nov. 12. Firefighters were alerted to the emergency at 3:24 a.m. and arrived to find levels eight times the recognized normal levels for a home. The source of the problem was determined to be a malfunctioning furnace, which was producing the toxic gas. The furnace was shut down and the apartment was ventilated to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide. The resident was instructed to discontinue the use of the furnace until it was repaired by a qualified contractor.
• FIRE: At 1:16 a.m. Nov. 14, fire units from four of the five city stations were alerted to respond to a reported house fire in the 700 block of Monteagle Street. Engine 3 arrived three minutes after the initial call and found a wood frame dwelling with extensive fire on both the first and second floors. Reports from neighbors indicated that at least two individuals were believed to still be inside the structure, possibly on the second floor. Firefighters on the interior of the building pushed through the searing heat and smoke in an attempt to gain access to the stairs while other firefighters placed ladders to windows and roofs to affect entry. Conditions within the structure rapidly deteriorated and firefighters were ordered to the exterior of the building. Firefighting efforts continued and after an intense firefight that lasted the better part of an hour, firefighters were able to re-enter the building. Search efforts were able to be restarted and the remains of two victims were located on the second floor. An exhaustive effort on the part of the Fire Prevention Bureau has determined the fire originated in the kitchen and was caused by unattended cooking. Investigators also determined there were no working smoke alarms on either the first or second floors of the home. Damage estimates were placed at $55,000.
• ACCIDENT: Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, fire units were alerted to an accident involving a vehicle into a building in the 8500 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard. The vehicle, which was in a parking lot at the rear of the building, suddenly lurched forward through a fence and entered the rear of the structure which was located on the adjacent lot. While it did not appear the structure sustained significant structural damage, the rear wall of the building, as well as some interior furnishings, suffered extensive damage. The driver of the vehicle denied being injured and refused medical attention. Representatives from the city Department of Building and Inspections were contacted to respond to determine the integrity of the building.
• FIRE: Hot embers from an outside fire are to blame for a structure fire that occurred in the 800 block of Willow Avenue just before noon Tuesday. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the structure, as well as the roof assembly of the wood frame dwelling. The fire, which originated on an exterior wall, where embers from an outside fire were placed adjacent to the home. The balloon frame construction of the home allowed smoke to travel within the exterior frame pushing smoke out of numerous openings. Despite the large amount of smoke, actual fire damage was relatively minor and the blaze was quickly brought under control. The embers were actually the remains of an outside fire that the resident had earlier in the week and, thinking the embers were cool enough, the occupant placed them in an area adjacent to the trash cans. Embers, ashes and coals from a fireplace or other outside fire can retain their heat for up to a week. They should never be placed in a plastic or wood container for disposal. Use only approved metal containers for disposal and never store any container that contains embers, ashes or coals either inside or adjacent to your home.
• NOTE: Most of the trees in the city have shed their leaves and they are now gathering in the street. The combination of rain this past week and the amount of leaves on the streets has created a very hazardous condition. Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice and can greatly affect stopping distance and the turning of a vehicle. Motorists are asked to take this into consideration while operating your vehicle. Driving on wet leaves is very much like driving on ice and snow. Increase both your following distance, as well as your stopping distance while at the same time reducing your speed while turning. These simple things may help you get safely to your destination during the next week when traffic is traditionally very heavy.
