For the period of May 16 to 22 the Niagara Falls Fire Department responded to 109 calls.
• INCIDENT: A localized water emergency that occurred May 16 presented some challenges to the Fire Department. Just after 11 a.m., the water supply in the Hyde Park area was compromised causing a large part of the area to be without water. The concern was that in the event of a fire, water from the fire hydrants may not have been available. To immediately address this situation, specialized water tankers were brought into the city under the mutual aid agreement. Both Sanborn and Lewiston 2 volunteer fire companies provided apparatus to the city. Fortunately, no significant fire broke out in the city and water supply was restored shortly before 2 p.m. The problem turned out to be a break in a 6-inch water main in the area of the public safety building. In order to affect the repairs on this main it was necessary to shut off a much larger 30-inch main in the same area.
• ACCIDENT: The intersection of 18th Street and Ferry Avenue was the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Fire units from both the Royal Avenue and 10th Street stations were alerted to respond as initial reports indicated that some of the victims may still be trapped in the cars. Units arrived on the scene and immediately initiated a call for multiple ambulances due to the number of injuries. While additional Rural Metro units, as well as Upper Mountain Volunteer Fire Company units responded, firefighters on the scene began the process of getting the patients removed from the vehicle. The cars were first stabilized and then extrication efforts commenced using a wide variety of tools and equipment. Firefighters assigned to the engine company deployed a hoseline in the event that any of the spilled fluids ignited. At least three patients were taken to area hospitals suffering from a wide assortment of injuries. Traffic was rerouted during the extrication operation and while the police department reconstructed and investigated the accident.
• FIRE: A fire in a structure was reported at 6:48 p.m. Tuesday in the 1900 block of Falls Street. Firefighters arrived and found a fire on the rear porch of the frame dwelling and quickly deployed hoselines to control the fire. The fire originated in a couch that was located on the porch. Damage to the couch and the porch was estimated at $500.
• ACCIDENT: At 2 a.m. Thursday firefighters were alerted to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a building in the 2600 block of Highland Avenue. Fire units arrived on the scene and found that a car had jumped the curb and struck the side of the masonry building. Damage to the building was extensive and while firefighters evaluated the structural integrity of the building, department EMTs evaluated the lone occupant of the vehicle. It was determined that the driver of the car did not wish to go to the hospital. Fire units were on the scene for over 90 minutes making sure that the utilities were not compromised and that the owner of the structure would secure the building.
• NOTE: This weekend is the traditional kick-off of summer. The Niagara Falls Fire Department reminds all residents that our streets will become much more congested with pedestrian traffic. Please slow down when operating you vehicle in areas of high pedestrian activity. Each year the city sees a sharp increase during the summer months of people being hit by vehicles.
