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A Sausalito man was able to escape a two-alarm blaze that destroyed a house early Thursday morning.

Neighbors reported the fire at 3:51 a.m. at 18 West Court and assisted the man and his dog in exiting the three-story residence. The man, the only occupant in the home, was taken to Marin General Hospital for treatment of burns and other injuries. He was later transferred to the Bothin Burn Center at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco.

Fire officials said the man, whose name was not released, awoke to find the house on fire. He was able to climb out of an upstairs window onto a deck area with his dog.

“He then threw his dog down to a neighbor and was able to climb down a ladder but was hurt in the process,” said Southern Marin Fire Chief Jim Irving.

He said it took about an hour for firefighting crews from Southern Marin, Marin County, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Corte Madera and Kentfield to contain the blaze, which they suspect started in the kitchen. Irving estimated damage at about $1 million.

“The home was completely destroyed,” Irving said, noting that the cause was still under investigation but had to be suspended Thursday “due to lack of structural integrity” of the gutted home.

“There was a partial collapse of the structure, but no firefighters were injured,” he said.

Story by Marin Independent Journal

A drunken driver struck a fire engine as it left a San Mateo station Christmas night badly damaging his own vehicle, authorities said Friday.

Police arrested 53-year-old Sione Tongamoa, of San Mateo, for driving under the influence at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, San Mateo police Capt. Kevin Raffaelli said.

Tongamoa apparently drove his pick-up truck into the fire engine’s right front bumper when it pulled out of the station at South Humboldt Street between Third and Fourth avenues, said Mike Borean, a battalion chief with San Mateo Fire Department.

Firefighters, who were on an emergency elevator rescue call, followed department protocol and remained at the scene to determine whether Tongamoa sustained injuries, Borean said. The department dispatched a second engine for the original call.

No one was injured in the crash, according to Borean.

The crash “damaged our siren and dented the bumper, scratched the bumper up, a little bit,” Borean said, adding that “the whole driver’s front side of the pick-up truck was demolished.”

Story by Silicone Valley Mercury News

ELKO, Nev. — The snow may be falling now, but federal agencies are gearing up for next year’s fire season.

The Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs are accepting applications for summer seasonal firefighting and dispatching positions.

A job fair is planned at the Elko BLM office on Jan. 7.

Officials said applications must be received no later than Jan. 20 to receive first consideration for most positions.

Officials said selected applicants for primary firefighter positions must pass the “pack test” after entering on duty. This test consists of a 3-mile walk over flat terrain carrying a 45-pound pack in 45 minutes or less.

Story by KCRA News

A skier buried by an avalanche was found dead Christmas morning at a California ski resort, authorities said.

The 21-year-old victim was identified as Randall C. Davis of Tahoe City, California, according to a local coroner’s news statement.

The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. after Davis and a friend rode a ski lift at the Squaw Valley Ski Resort, the statement said.

Davis’ friend became concerned when the two got separated and alerted authorities that Davis was missing.

Frantic calls to 911 in the aftermath of a Rancho Cordova home explosion were released Thursday, detailing neighbors’ fright in the wake of the blast.

“The house blew up. The neighbor’s house is blowed up. My next-door neighbor’s house is blowed up. My windows are blowed out. We need you guys,” one caller shouted to an emergency dispatcher.

As she pressed him for directions, he told her: “You can’t miss it. There’s black smoke everywhere.”

The Christmas Eve explosion on Paiute Way leveled the home and heavily damaged surrounding homes.

Wilbert “Bill” Paana, 72, was transported to UC Davis Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.

Five other people who were hurt in the explosion include a firefighter, a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. worker, residents and a neighbor.

Kim Dickson, in her mid-40s, was in critical condition Thursday.

Sunny Dickson, 17, was transferred later Wednesday to nearby Shriners Hospital for Children; she was upgraded to stable condition.

Officials could not immediately say where the Dicksons and Paana were when the home exploded.

The National Transportation Safety Board will oversee an investigation into the blast. Jeff Smith, spokesman for PG&E, said the utility company wouldn’t do anything to the scene in Rancho Cordova until NTSB officials arrived Monday.

Fire officials estimated the structural damage to be about $700,000.

The affected homes have been cordoned off, but a voluntary evacuation issued Wednesday has been lifted.

“The area is considered safe at this time,” Smith said.

Fire investigators have not yet determined what ignited the flames.

“The cause is undetermined because of so many variables,” said Capt. Christian Pebbles with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. “There are many possible sources — a light switch, a pilot light, static electricity.”

Story by KCRA News

Montebello firefighter Ruben Castillo picks out his Christmas tree with care: He asks the seller how often the trees are watered, and he runs his hands along one of the needle-filled branches. If the needles come away easily, the tree is too dry. If the branch has a nice strong grip on the needles, he takes it home, where it brightens up his family’s living room.

Fellow firefighter engineer Randy Sherrick agrees with this approach. “I get a little nervous around the holidays,” he says, keenly aware of the potential fire dangers of dry trees.

The fire station is never closed of course. At Christmas time, firefighters expect to be at their stations, on alert for static-filled messages from the radios they keep by their side at all times. It is not uncommon for them to rush to a scene only to see somebody’s Christmas decorations go down in flames or to witness tragedy on an otherwise cheerful day.

But it isn’t all vigilance for firefighters who keep watch while most people have the day off to gather with family.

For one thing, many of the firefighters’ families bring the party to them during the holidays. And because firefighters live at the fire stations during their shifts, which typically last 48 hours, each firefighter learns how to cook a dish or two well, making it a snap to put together a holiday meal.

On these occasions, the firefighters’ families have a chance to mingle over dishes like ham, roast, spaghetti, and tamales, while also making sure the kids running around the station don’t tear it apart.

Firefighter Frank Osorio says almost any occasion is an excuse to eat for them, and holidays are the best excuse of all. “It’s a feeding frenzy around here during the holidays,” he says.

As if knowing this, appreciative residents frequently donate food around this time, contributing to a mountainous pile on their kitchen counter. It’s more than even firefighters can eat, but it’s not for lack of trying, remarks one firefighter.

But not to give the wrong impression, paramedic Dan Yessman is quick to say that they’re also big on eating healthy and working out. No holiday bulge for these hardworking firefighters.

Probationary firefighter paramedic Aaron Cass says meal-time at the station serves the same role as meal-time at home. “Like with any family, it’s a time for us to wind down, communicate, and bond,” he says.
Of course, an emergency dispatch could always come in during one of these meals, at which point they drop everything to suit up and head on down to the scene.

Firefighters also have an active and visible role in community celebrations around Christmas time.
What better way to take Santa Claus to all his screaming, pint-sized fans than in a bright red fire truck or engine? And not a shift goes by without a visit from someone donating a gift to the department’s Toys For Tots Christmas program.

Story by EPG News / Read entire article

On Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 2:19 AM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, all under the direction of Battalion Chief John Miller responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8037 Remmet Ave in West Hills/Chatsworth Lake/Canoga Park.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover a large single-story commercial building with heavy fire and smoke showing. Firefighters used forcible entry tools to gain access to the interior of the structure. A well coordinated interior fire attack combined with ventilation efforts on the roof allowed firefighters to quickly gain the upper hand on the fire.

The fire was controlled in just twenty-three minutes and was confined to approximately one-quarter of the structure. The building, apparently being used as a pornography studio, suffered smoke and water damage estimated at $250,000 ($200,000 structure and $50,000 contents). There were no injuries reported and the cause of the early morning fire is under investigation.

Written by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

A patient who was riding in a private ambulance Monday in Palo Alto suffered major injuries after the vehicle hit a tree and rolled onto its side on University Avenue, authorities said.

The 56-year-old woman was taken to Stanford Hospital after the crash at about 11 a.m. and authorities said she was in critical condition.

Three ambulance workers were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries from the accident, which occurred just east of Chaucer Street and shut down two blocks of University until about 2:15 p.m.

The injured patient was being transported from Concord to a “routine medical appointment” in Palo Alto, said Palo Alto police Detective Brian Philip.

Witnesses told police the ambulance, owned by Concord-based Bay Medic, was driving 30-35 mph westbound on University with its sirens and flashing lights off when it veered off the right side of the road, hit a tree and flipped onto its left side.

Police and firefighters responded within minutes and closed off the roadway, Philip said.

The ambulance workers suffered mostly scrapes and bruises, Philip said. Bay Medic officials were not immediately available for comment.

Investigators are not yet sure what caused the crash. Philip said the road was wet at the time, which may have been a factor.

“It’s a little bit more difficult to determine” because only one vehicle was involved, Philip said. “Normally when you have two cars, there’s usually someone at fault.”

Story by Silicone Valley Mercury News

A rash of structure fires over the weekend has left some families homeless for the holidays.

Firefighters throughout the county fought several structure fires over the weekend, including two homes in Eureka, one in Garberville, one in Rio Dell, and one in Hoopa. Eureka also had two other commercial fires.

The latest house fire occurred at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Rio Dell, and displaced a family of four with two young children.

”The house was totally destroyed,” Rio Dell Fire Chief Shane Wilson said.

Preliminary reports show that the fire was started by an accident involving one of the younger children playing with a lighter. The point of origin was the child’s bedroom, but the fire spread rapidly through the house.

Wilson said he would be meeting with other residents Tuesday night to come up with a plan of assistance for the family, who was put up in a motel temporarily by Rio Dell’s Ladies Auxiliary.

Eureka Fire Department Chief Eric Smith said previous studies show that fires in Eureka are not more common during the holiday season than any other time of the year, but they are more noticeable.

”Unfortunately, we’re a very active community when it comes to fires,” Smith said.

He attributed the high number of fires to the age and construction materials of the buildings in the city, as well as the social and economic conditions of its residents.

”People may be utilizing other forms of heat to heat their house,” he said, adding that often people who have had their utilities shut off will resort to electrical heaters, generators or their stoves for heat.These methods can result in fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, he said.

”It’s just a dangerous time of year,” Smith said.

Two residential fires occurred in Eureka on Sunday, with one at 6:15 a.m. on the 100 block of Bay Street.

EFD found a two-story residence with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor windows and two people trapped on the second floor. The two people climbed out of a window and were able to access a ground ladder from the roof to get to safety. Two other occupants had been in a downstairs room and jumped through a window to escape the fire. Three of the residents suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation and were transported to the hospital.

Smith said the incident shows how important it is to have smoke detectors on all levels of a house. The detector alerted the residents to the fire, which caused about $35,000 in property damage.

In the second Eureka fire, which occurred at around 1 p.m. the same day, firefighters found three cars on fire in a carport attached to a two-story multi-family apartment complex located in the 200 block of Wabash Avenue.

One resident, who witnesses said was trying to open the doors of some of the cars to move them, received blisters on his hand, and refused medical treatment.

That fire caused about $40,000 in damage. Both fires are still under investigation.

Smith said it is important to call 911 even if the fire seems like a minor one.

”Call the cavalry,” he said. “We can always go home, it’s not a big deal.”

Smith also added that every household should have a fire extinguisher on hand, and that the most important thing to do is get everyone out of the house safely.

Story by The Eureka Times-Standard

Location: 2068 W. 19th Street, San Bernardino
Time of the call: 08:52 AM
First Unit on the scene: Engine 223
Number of Units: 5 Engines, 1 Truck, and 1 Battalion Chief
Number of Firefighters: 21 Firefighters
Injuries: 0
Fatalities: 0
Property Loss/Damage: 50,000
Contents Loss: 20,000
Property Saved: 200,000
Additional information:

Firefighters from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to reports of a second structure fire this morning. The first arriving unit encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions coming from a single story home located on west 19th street. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the fire with simultaneous vertical ventilation. They were able to extinguish the blaze within 17 minutes. The homeowner was able to escape the flames before the fire department arrived and no injuries were reported.
San Bernardino City Fire Arson Investigators have determined the cause of the fire was an unattended candle left next to combustible materials.
The fire department would like to remind all residents to keep operating smoke detectors in their home and never leave a burning candle unattended.