Below are some of the incidents that the Jakeland FD operated at in 2018.
December 25
2nd Alarm Paterson Ave Auto Body Fire
Firefighters were dispatched at 1:49 AM early Christmas morning to an activated fire alarm at 87 Paterson Ave. While firefighters were responding to the scene, Jakeland Police Officers notified dispatch that there was a working fire at the Project X Auto Shop. Engine 13 arrived on scene first and found fire on the first floor in the garage and office area. Heavy smoke was venting from the offices on the second floor also. As Engine 13 began stretching an inch and three quarter attack line to combat the blaze, Tower Ladder 2 arrived on scene and began cutting the roll up garage door to gain access to the building. Once the fire was located, Engine 13 began attacking the flames in the garage. When Engine 6 arrived on scene, their crew stretched a second line off Engine 13 and began attacking flames in the office area on the first floor. Squad 3's crew on arrival began venting the second floor and roof of the building to allow toxic smoke to escape. As Rescue 1 was performing a primary search on the second floor, fire was located that had extended up from the garage. A 2nd Alarm was requested to the scene and Tower Ladder 4, which was the FAST truck, was put to work to assist. Engine 12's crew stretched a third hose and attacked the fire on the second floor. As firefighters were making an interior attack on the flames, fresh crews were needed to relieve Engines 13 and 6. Engine 7 and Engine 9 would relieve them and knock down all visible flames on the first floor. Engine 12 would be able to knock down all flames on the second floor. Firefighters from Squad 3 and Tower Ladder 4 would open up and check for extension, while Tower Ladder 1 checked the second floor. After Rescue 1 and Tower Ladder 2 completed a secondary search of the first and second floors, it was determined that there were no occupants in the building at the time of the fire. The fire was declared under control at 2:54 AM. No firefighters were injured at this incident. The Washington County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit was requested to the scene due to the fire being deemed suspicious. An investigation is being conducted by the Jakeland PD and the Washington County Prosecutors Office at this time. All units that operated at this scene were Engines 13, 6, 12, 9, 7, 15, Tower Ladders 2, 4, 1, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalions 1, 2 and Deputy 3.
November 30
3rd Alarm Boulevard Restaurant Fire
At 3:50 PM, Jakeland FD Dispatchers received an alarm activation from 356 Boulevard the "Hungry Hog BBQ" restaurant. While responding to the scene, calls were made to the dispatch center reporting a working fire at the location. With the updated information, the response was upgraded to a working fire assignment. Engine 7 and Tower Ladder 4 were first to arrive on scene. Upon arrival, they observed heavy smoke venting from the front of the building on the first floor. Due to the proximity of both exposure buildings on the B and D sides, a 2nd Alarm was requested by Deputy Chief 4. Engine 7 quickly stretched a hose into the restaurant on the first floor as Tower Ladder 4 began a primary search. As more units began to arrive, multiple hoses were stretched to assist Engine 7 and firefighters headed up to the roof to vent. Rescue 1 headed up to the second floor to perform a primary search. During their search, they discovered that the fire had extended up and conditions were quickly deteriorating. With 3 hoses stretched and firefighters unable to put water on the seat of the fire, Deputy Chief 4 ordered the building evacuated and requested a 3rd Alarm to the scene. All firefighters were able to safely evacuate. Once all firefighters were accounted for, defensive operations began using multiple hoses from the street and three tower ladders. All visible fire was knocked down after two and a half hours of exterior operations. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 7, 9, 12, 13, 6, 4, 1, 15, Tower Ladders 4, 2, 1, Ladder 3, Squads 3, 10, Rescue 1, Battalions 2, 1, Deputy Chief 4, St Lego Air Unit and Westbrick Rehab. Mutual Aid from Lego Twp, Riverwoods, Brick Borough, Liberty County, Rochelle Heights and Portage County stood by across the city. The cause of the fire was determined to improper maintenance of cooking equipment that sparked a grease fire in the kitchen that quickly spread. One firefighter suffered a minor injury to his left arm as he was evacuating the building.
October 31/November 1
For the second straight evening, Jakelands Bravest were kept busy. Firefighters would respond to a total of 22 incidents across Jakeland between 7 PM October 31st and 7 AM November 1st.
At 1:34 AM, firefighters were dispatched to 62 Burnside Ave for a working house fire. When Squad 3 arrived, they found an abandoned home engulfed in flames and quickly spreading to a neighboring abandoned home. A Second Alarm was requested to the scene as firefighters quickly put together a defensive attack on the flames. Squad 3 and Tower Ladder 2 (using the spare ladder) placed their ladders in operation to attack the flames. Since firefighters were kept busy and tied up on other incidents, Mutual Aid from Lego Regional Fire Authority Engine 21 and Rochelle Heights Truck 832 were requested to the scene. Firefighters were on scene for two and a half hours dousing the blaze. The fire was deemed suspicious and the county prosecutors office arson division is investigating. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 6, 13, 7, 12, 9, 15, Tower Ladders 2, 4, Squad 3, Battalion 2, Deputy 3, Lego Regional Fire Authority Engine 21, Rochelle Heights Fire Dept. Truck 832. Thankfully no one was injured at this incident or any other incident this evening.
At 1:34 AM, firefighters were dispatched to 62 Burnside Ave for a working house fire. When Squad 3 arrived, they found an abandoned home engulfed in flames and quickly spreading to a neighboring abandoned home. A Second Alarm was requested to the scene as firefighters quickly put together a defensive attack on the flames. Squad 3 and Tower Ladder 2 (using the spare ladder) placed their ladders in operation to attack the flames. Since firefighters were kept busy and tied up on other incidents, Mutual Aid from Lego Regional Fire Authority Engine 21 and Rochelle Heights Truck 832 were requested to the scene. Firefighters were on scene for two and a half hours dousing the blaze. The fire was deemed suspicious and the county prosecutors office arson division is investigating. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 6, 13, 7, 12, 9, 15, Tower Ladders 2, 4, Squad 3, Battalion 2, Deputy 3, Lego Regional Fire Authority Engine 21, Rochelle Heights Fire Dept. Truck 832. Thankfully no one was injured at this incident or any other incident this evening.
October 30/31
"Mischief Night" 2018
The Jakeland FD was once again kept busy on "Mischief Night". Thankfully this year there were no attacks made on first responders. From 7 PM October 30th to 7 AM October 31st, the Jakeland FD operated at 33 incidents across the city which included vehicle fires, rubbish/bush fires, activated fire alarms, first aid and motor vehicle crashes.
Engine 15 and Squad 10 are pictured operating at a vehicle fire on South St on 10/30 at 9:28 PM.
Engine 15 and Squad 10 are pictured operating at a vehicle fire on South St on 10/30 at 9:28 PM.
September 11
Central Ave All Hands Apartment Fire
Jakelands Bravest had just finished attending the City of Jakeland September 11th Memorial Service, when they were dispatched to 120 Central Ave for a reported working fire in an apartment. When Engine 6, Tower Ladder 2 and Rescue 1 arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke pushing out the front windows on the first floor of a 3 story apartment building. Firefighters quickly stretched a hose to attack the fire. Tower Ladder 2 sent their crew to the roof and vent the first and second floor windows. Rescue 1 started a primary search of the fire floor, as Tower Ladder 4 started a primary search on the second floor. Once Squad 3 arrived on scene, they were assigned as the FAST Team. Firefighters were able to quickly douse the flames and bring the fire under control. Once Engine 12 arrived on scene, they also stretched a hose to assist with fire suppression and overhaul. The cause of the fire was determined to be a dryer fire in a one bed room apartment on the first floor of the building. Luckily firefighters were able to get a handle on the fire quickly before flames spread to the floors above. No one was injured at this incident. All units that operated at this All Hands were Engines 6, 12, 13, 9, Tower Ladders 2, 4, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalion 2 and Deputy 3.
August 30
2nd Alarm St Leo's Italian Market Fire
Firefighters were dispatched at 8:57 PM to St Peters Ave for a working structure fire. Jakeland Police Officers had found a smoke condition in the area while they were patrolling. They then located a working fire at Uncle Leo's Italian Market (411 St Peters Ave). Engine 4 arrived on scene first and stretched an attack line. Squad 10 arrived soon after and began to vent the building. Before firefighters were able to get water on the seat of the fire, flames raged out of control and spread from the first floor up to the second floor. Firefighters were forced to evacuate the building and battle the flames from the exterior using multiple hoses and Tower Ladder 1's ladder. After placing Tower Ladder 1's tower up to the first floor windows and using the deck gun to douse the blaze, all visible fire was quickly doused. Firefighters then re-entered the building and were able to bring the fire under control. A 2nd Alarm was needed to fight the fire. Thankfully no one was injured at this incident. Also no neighboring structures were damaged. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 4, 15, 2, 1, 5, 6, Tower Ladder 1, Ladder 7, Ladder 3, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalions 1, 2 and Deputy 2.
July 22
3rd Alarm House Fire on Skyline Dr
At 2:39 AM, firefighters in the Jakeland Heights section of the city were dispatched to a working house fire on Skyline Dr. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke venting from the first and second floors of the home. Hoses were quickly stretched from Engine 7 to combat the blaze. However, flames flashed on the second floor as conditions quickly deteriorated. A Second Alarm was requested as firefighters struggled to bring the blaze under control. As more lines were stretched from Engine 7 and Engine 6, firefighters were able to bring the flames under control. Due to the intense heat however, a 3rd Alarm was needed to the scene to swap out members. Westbrick's Rehab Unit was requested to the scene to assist. One firefighter was injured at this incident. The cause of the fire was a lightning strike during the severe thunderstorm that struck the city overnight. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 7, 9, 12, 13, 6, 1, 15, 4, Tower Ladders 4, 2, 1, Ladder 3, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalions 1, 2 and Deputy 1.
June 28
General Alarm Dutchman Lumber Fire
At 09:03 AM, Jakelands Bravest were dispatched to 575 Railroad Ave for a working fire at Dutchman Lumber. When Engine 15 arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke venting from the structure. A water supply was quickly established and multiple hoses were stretched. As flames intensified, the truss roof collapsed shooting flames into the sky. A General Alarm assignment would be needed bringing in all Jakeland FD units to the scene including the reserve engine and ladder. A 5th Alarm would be struck which would bring Rochelle Heights Engine 831 and Liberty County Truck 37 to the scene to assist. Luckily the store had just opened so no customers were in the store at the time. All employees were able to escape unharmed. No firefighters were injured at this incident. The cause of the fire was due to a malfunction at the propane tank filling station. Mutual Aid from Westbrick, Liberty County, Rochelle Heights, St Lego, Lego Twp, Riverwoods, Portage, North Lereado County, Lego Regional, Brick Borough and Buena Vista responded into the scene to help and covered empty firehouses across the city.
May 27
2nd Alarm Sussex St Apartment Building Fire
On Sunday, May 27th at 10:01 AM, firefighters in Downtown Jakeland were dispatched to 220 Sussex St for a working fire in a 3.5 story apartment building. When Engine 5 and Ladder 3 arrived, they found heavy fire on the second floor. One hose was quickly deployed into operation as Ladder 3 began a primary search. Engine 1 stretched a second attack line to the second floor to assist Engine 5 with fire suppression. Tower 1 then began venting the building. Flames however were able to extend up the walls into the attic. The fire quickly raged on the third floor and through the roof. Firefighters were forced to evacuate the structure as Ladder 3 and Tower 1 placed the master streams on their aerials in operation. The roof would partially collapse as flames quickly spread to the "D" exposure building 222 Sussex St. A Second Alarm was dispatched to the scene to assist. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control approximately two and a half hours after the initial dispatch. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries at this incident as they evacuated the building. None of the residents were injured. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 5, 1, 4, 2, 15, 6, Ladder 3, Towers 1, 2, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Deputy 2.
May 8
State Route 1 Car/Brush Fire
Engine 13 and Engine 6 were dispatched to a working vehicle fire on State Route 1. When both engines arrived on scene, they found fire coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. Flammable liquids from the vehicle then caused the brush nearby to catch fire. Thankfully when no one was injured at this incident.
April 1
2nd Alarm house fire on Bulldog Street
Firefighters in South Jakeland were dispatched to a residence on Bulldog Street for a reported car fire inside a garage. When firefighters from Engine 2 and Ladder 7 arrived, they found heavy fire in the attached garage. Firefighters stretched one hose into the home to battle the blaze that had already extended into the residence. Ladder 7 placed its aerial to the roof to. As conditions continued to quickly deteriorate, a 2nd Alarm was called in by Deputy Chief Anderson. Multiple hoses were stretched to battle the blaze and firefighters were able to douse the blaze after a 45 minute battle. Thankfully no one was injured at this incident. The homeowner reported that after starting his classic car, he went back inside his home and let the car run a little bit. When he returned to the garage, the car was on fire. The fire quickly extended into the garage and into the home. Luckily firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to surrounding homes. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 2, 4, 15, 5, 1, 6, Ladders 7, 3, Tower Ladder 1, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalions 1, 2 and Deputy 1.
March 18
2nd Alarm fire on Bergen Street
At 2:10 PM, Jakeland's Bravest in Downtown Jakeland were dispatched to 15 Bergen Street for a report of a working structure fire. When Engine 5 arrived on scene, they found heavy fire on the second and third floors of a three story brick tax payer. On the first floor is a commercial business with residences above on the second and third floors. Engine 5 stretched an attack line to the second floor, but were quickly forced to back out as conditions quickly deteriorated. Deputy Chief Carroll then requested a 2nd Alarm to the scene. As flames flashed on the second and third floors, Tower Ladder 1 sent it's crew up to the roof to vent. They also however had to retreat as the roof became unstable and would eventually partially collapse. As flames raged out of control on the second and third floors and through the roof, Tower Ladder 1 and Ladder 3 placed their master streams in operation. With the aggressive defensive attack by Jakelands Bravest, the fire was held to the original fire building. Thankfully no one was injured at this incident. The cause for the fire was determined to be an electrical extension cord. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 5, 1, 4, 2, 15, 6, Ladder 3, Tower Ladders 1, 2, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 1 and Deputy 4.