2012
These incidents took place in 2012. Not all incidents that occurred in 2012 were photographed.
12/10/12 "DOG HOUSE" RESCUES MAN FROM BLAZE
Firefighters were dispatched at 11:58 to 1010 College Way on a report of a house fire with a man trapped inside. When Jakeland Police Officers arrived they spoke with two contractors who were working inside the home. They reported that the fire was on the first floor and they believed the man was in the basement. Engine 2 and Ladder 7 quickly arrived on scene and found heavy fire venting out of the first floor. Battalion Chief Russel Willow requested a second alarm plus a ladder bringing Engines 1, 5, Truck 1 and Ladder 3 to the scene. A 2.5 inch hose was stretched to the side entrance and an aggressive attack was made on the fire. Firefighters were able to locate the trapped man at the top of the basement stairs. Firefighter James Pettigrew and Captain Walter Evans pulled the man out of the home to awaiting EMS. The man was transported to Jakeland University Medical Center and is listed in stable condition. Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the blaze and hold the fire to a 2nd alarm. The fire is believed to have started due to workers welding. The home, which is used as a fraternity house, is currently abandoned due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 15, Truck 1, Truck 2, Ladder 3, Ladder 7, Squad 10, Rescue 1 and Battalion 1.
11/16/12 EXPLOSION KILLS 5
At 01:13, firefighters were dispatched to Martin Terrace in the Cliffside section for a report of an explosion with fire. Engine 9 quickly arrived on scene and discovered two homes fully involved in fire. A second alarm was requested upon arrival of Battalion Chief Ray Morris. No firefighters entered either home to search due to both homes already had partial collapses and the fire was to intense. As firefighters fought the blaze from the street and from two tower ladders, the second floor of 346 Martin Terrace collapsed on to the street. Due to the number of firefighters that were operating at the scene, it was unknown if any firefighters were buried under the rubble. A rescue from Lego Twp was dispatched to the scene to assist Jakelands bravest search the rubble for any firefighters that may have been buried. An accountability check however proved that no firefighters were trapped and everyone was ok. A third alarm plus a ladder was requested to the scene. Portage, North Lereado, St Lego, Rochelle Heights, South Palm, Midlego, River Heights and Buena Vista were requested to stand by in empty firehouses across Jakeland. Construction crews had to respond to the scene with demolition equipment to knock down parts of both homes that were in danger of collapsing. Once the Jakeland Building Dept. declared that there was no danger of any further collapse, firefighters began searching for the occupants of both homes. Firefighters unfortunately found 2 occupants in 346 Martin Terrace, and 3 occupants in 344 Martin Terrace. The cause has not been determined, however it is believed that the gas line in 346 Martin Terrace may have leaked and caused an explosion. It has also been discovered that the occupants of 346 Martin Terrace were both elderly and both required oxygen. Also, the occupants of 344 Martin Terrace had a supply of multiple gas cans filled with gasoline due to the gas crisis that occurred after Hurricane Sandy. With the initial explosion causing the oxygen tanks and gasoline containers to explode, it was a recipe for disaster. No one else was injured. The fire however was so intense that Truck 2 suffered heat damage to its cab and tower ladder. Truck 2 for now has been placed out of service until it can be inspected and cleared.
9/20/12 STRIP MALL FIRE RAGES TO 2 ALARMS
At 2:00 AM, firefighters in midtown Jakeland were dispatched to 300 Commerce Way for a activated fire alarm. As the fire units were responding into the scene, a Jakeland Police Officer updated the fire units reporting that the cause for the alarm was in fact due to a structure fire. Battalion Chief Jeffries arrived and observed the "Spice Rack" fully involved in fire with a roof collapse. A second alarm was transmitted bringing in another two engines and one ladder. Firefighters fought the blaze from the exterior mostly using 2 tower ladders, 1 deck gun and 5 hoses. After the bulk of the flames were knocked down in the "Pets City", firefighters entered the store from the rear and extinguished the remaining pockets of fire. No one was inside the strip mall at the time of the fire and no firefighter was injured. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, however it does not seem to be suspicious. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Truck 2, Ladder 3, Squad 10, Rescue 1 and Battalion 1. This fire quickly spread out of control prior to Jakelands Bravest arriving. Chief McNulty believes that if the Hackensack Ave firehouse was still open, which would have been less than two blocks away, this fire could have been brought under control quicker and the damage not as severe. Since the Hackensack Ave firehouse was closed in midtown Jakeland, 10 multi alarm fires have occurred.
8/1/12 CAR BURNS ON ROUTE 1
Engine 9 and Squad 3 were dispatched to the Eric S. McDonald Expressway (State Route 1) for a working car fire. When Engine 9 arrived, they found a SUV with heavy fire venting from the engine and passenger compartments of the vehicle. One hose was quickly stretched and firefighters were able to knocked down the flames quickly. No one was injured. Engine 9 and Squad 3 were the only units that operated at this scene.
7/17/12 JLFDS BRAVEST BATTLE 2 FIRES WITH HELP
On the 4 year anniversary of the Packard-Webster Chemical Fire (7/17/2008), the City of Jakeland Fire Dept. again had their hands full. At 1:09 PM the Jakeland Fire Dept. was dispatched to 255 Central Ave for a working fire with a report of a person possibly trapped. Engine 6, Truck 2 and Rescue 1 arrived first and found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the home. Rescue 1 began to search the second floor while Truck 2 vented and Engine 6 attempted to locate the fire, which was in the basement. Rescue 1 quickly located the victim and brought her out to safety. Engine 6 began attacking the fire, however conditions quickly deteriorated and firefighters had to retreat to the first floor. The fire eventually flashed over, shooting flames out the basement windows. Firefighters then evacuated the building, and a defensive attack on the fire was made. After the flames were knocked down, firefighters again made their way into the building and knocked down the fire on the first floor and basement. The fire required a third alarm to the scene and mutual aid to stand by. Due to the extreme heat, Westbrick's rehab unit was requested to the scene. All units that operated at this fire were Engines 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, Tower Ladder 1, Truck 2, Ladder 3, Truck 4, Ladder 7, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 2, Deputy Chief 1 and the Chief of the Dept. The victim who was rescued by Rescue 1 was transported to Jakeland University Medical Center. She has been listed in stable condition. Great job by all the firefighters at this stubborn job!
While firefighters were operating at the 255 Central Ave job, a second fire occurred on Burnside Ave. A motorist called 9-1-1 reporting that there was heavy fire and smoke coming from 64 Burnside Ave. Engine 4 and Squad 3, who were both being directed to the Central Ave job, were sent to the Burnside Ave fire instead. When Engine 4 and Squad 3 arrived, heavy fire was venting from the front of the home threatening 66 Burnside Ave. Companies from Lego Twp, St Lego and Rochelle Heights who were standing by at empty firehouses across Jakeland, were sent to assist at the scene. Fire extended to the attached garage of 66 Burnside Ave, however firefighters from Lego Twp Engine 11 were able to stretch a hose into the home and make a good stop. Once flames were knocked down from the exterior at 64 Burnside Ave, firefighters from Engine 4 and Rochelle Heights Engine 831 stretched hoses into the home and knocked down the remaining pockets of fire. St Lego's Ladder 8 was used to vent the roof as firefighters attacked the flames. The fire was held to the all hands assignment. All units that operated at the scene were Jakeland Battalion 1, Jakeland Engine 4, Jakeland Squad 3, Lego Twp Engine 11, Lego Twp Tower 5, Lego Twp Rescue 1, Lego Twp Battalion 1, St Lego Engine 14, St Lego Ladder 8 and Rochelle Heights Engine 831. Thank you to all the departments that stood by and assisted at both scenes!
5/7/12 ORITANI FCU BUILDING BURNS
Firefighters in Downtown Jakeland were dispatched at 8:37 PM to the Oritani Federal Credit Union Building for a reported fire. When Engine 1 arrived on scene, they discovered that the top 3 floors of the 5 story hi-rise were engulfed in heavy fire. A second alarm was immediately sent to the scene, and a third alarm was sent to stage. As the fire continued to burn, a crew of off duty firefighters manned Rescue 2 to assist at the scene. Mutual Aid from South Palm, Lego Twp, Rochelle Heights, Portage, Buena Vista, St Lego, Midlego, New Brickington, River County and North Lereado County were also requested to stand by at firehouses and to the scene to assist. Firefighters were on scene all through the night into the morning of 5/8/12 hitting hot spots and investigating the cause. The fire is currently under investigation but has not been deemed suspicious. Jakelands bravest would like to thank all the mutual aid that responded.
4/22/12 SOUTH MAIN CRASH INJURES 2
At 09:14 units from the 2nd Battalion were dispatched to South Main St and Industrial Ave for a motor vehicle crash with a person trapped. Jakeland University Medical Center Ambulance #5145 arrived on scene first and advised responding units that it was a 2 vehicle crash, a garbage truck vs SUV and also that the SUV has struck a building. The driver of the SUV was trapped inside the vehicle and the driver of the garbage truck was complaining of an injured leg. Jakeland Rescue 1, Squad 3 and Engine 13 responded to the scene. Rescue 1 and Squad 3 were able to extricate the victim within 15 minutes upon arrival. The traffic accident is being investigated by the Jakeland Police, however it seems that the garbage truck may have ran a red light. The Jakeland Building Dept. also responded to the scene and determined the structure that was struck was safe.
4/4/12 JAKELAND AND ROCHELLE HTS BATTLE FIRE
At 07:45 the Jakeland Fire Dept. and the Rochelle Heights Police Dept. received a call from the County 9-1-1 dispatch that there was a possible house fire in Jakeland or Rochelle Heights. Fire units from both jurisdictions quickly checked the area. A Rochelle Heights Police Officer was able to locate the fire at 640 Forest Pl in Jakeland. Engine 7 was first to arrive on scene and found the first floor and an attached garage fully involved. Firefighters from Rochelle Heights proceeded into the scene and assisted Jakelands bravest. Rochelle Heights Truck 832 put its tower ladder in operation and began venting the roof. Fire conditions inside the home increasingly became more and more hazardous to firefighters, and a second alarm was needed. Firefighters were able to make a knockdown on the first floor, however as they attempted up the stairs to the second floor, the attic flashed over and the roof showed signs of collapse. All firefighters were then removed from the structure and began a defensive attack. After an aggressive attack on the fire was made via hoses and master streams from 2 tower ladders (JLFD Truck 4, RHFD Truck 832), firefighters were able to re-enter the structure and extinguish all pockets of fire. St Lego FD was also called to the scene for rehab and air supply. The fire was held to a 2nd alarm. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 15, Truck 2, Truck 4, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalions 1 and 2, Rochelle Hts Engine 831, Rochelle Hts Truck 832, and Rochelle Hts Chief 830. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
1/14/12 2 ALARM RESTAURANT FIRE
Jakelands bravest were called to duty at 15:37 at 445 18th Street for a working kitchen fire in the Cowboy Up! Steakhouse. When firefighters arrived on scene, thick black smoke was seen venting from the first and second floors of the three story brick building. Firefighters from Engine 2 discovered the main body of fire in the kitchen of the restaurant. Due to conditions deteriorating inside rapidly, firefighters struggled to get the fire under control. The fire extended up to the second floor apartment and quickly flashed over before firefighters were able to douse the flames. Battalion Chief Edwards struck a second alarm to bring in two more engines and a ladder. The first floor restaurant and second floor apartment was badly damaged. The third floor apartment only suffered heat and smoke damage. No other structures were damaged. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 13, Truck 1, Truck 2, Ladder 7, Squad 3, Rescue 1 and Battalion 1.