Update - Structure fire in 300 Block of 109th Street West
The Fire Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire in the 300 Block of 109th Street West is ongoing due to the current condition of the structure after the fire. An update will be provided once available.
During the incident, firefighters were performing searches to ensure no occupants remained inside the structure. While conducting the searches, fire conditions changed drastically inside the structure where all combustible material ignited simultaneously. This created a flash over condition. Two firefighters were in a situation where they needed to evacuate the structure immediately. They took safe haven in a bedroom closing the door behind them. This room had a window. Using SFD’s tactical self preservation methods, they sent an alert over the radio that overrides the entire radio transmissions over the entire fire ground. They initiated a “mayday” and relayed conditions, the actions being taken and their needs. The two firefighters using their tactical training were performing a “bail out” where they broke the window, fire ground firefighters brought a ladder to the window and the firefighters used their training tactics to hook onto the window frame and leverage themselves onto the ladder.
Both firefighters safely evacuated the structure without injury.
An incident debriefing and peer support was provided immediately to the firefighters involved in the self evacuation and the personnel involved in this incident.
Firefighter safety is everyone’s priority but the job they perform comes with risks. It is the extensive training beyond performing rescues and tactics where they practice self preservation that are integral to firefighter safety.
With any incident of significance to firefighter safety, an after-action review is being conducted. The purpose of a review allows for an assessment of actions taken, evaluate procedures and enhance safety if warranted.