Below are some of the incidents the Jakeland FD operated at in 2021.
12/21 MIDTOWN PLAZA 3RD ALARM
At 11:26 PM, firefighters were dispatched to the Midtown Plaza at 430 Midtown Ave for a working fire. Jakeland Police Officers were dispatched to the Diamond Center on a report of a burglar alarm. When officers arrived, they found the shopping plaza on fire. Engine 6 and Tower 2 arrived on scene shortly after and began working to extinguish the blaze. As flames continued to rage out of control, more units were needed at the scene to assist. Two firefighters became injured when part of the ceiling collapsed on top of them. Thankfully their injuries were minor and they would both be treated and released from the hospital. It would take 3 Alarms to bring the blaze under control. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 6, 12, 9, 7, 13, 1, 4, 15, Tower 2, Tower 4, Tower 1, Ladder 3, Squad 3, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalions 2, 1 and Deputy 3. A rehab unit from Liberty County was at the scene to assist due to the freezing temperature. Firefighters from Lego Twp, Liberty County, Buena Vista, Riverwoods, Lego Regional and Rochelle Heights were requested to stand by at firehouses across the city. The cause of the incident is an e-bike that was left on charge in the dry cleaners by the owner.
5/26 BIG EASY JAZZ CLUB GENERAL ALARM
At 3:15 PM, Jakeland's Bravest were dispatched to the "Big Easy Jazz Club" on Jake St in Downtown Jakeland. Engine 1 and Tower 1 were first to arrive and found heavy fire on the second floor of the 2 story building. Multiple hoses were stretched to combat the blaze via an interior attack. Flames however were able to extend quickly into the walls of the building and up into the cockloft. Firefighters would be forced to evacuate as the roof became unstable and would eventually collapse. The fire would then threaten exposure buildings on both the B and D sides of the building. A General Alarm assignment would eventually be needed as firefighters struggled to contain the flames to the jazz club. The 91 degree weather did not help also as many firefighters suffered heat exhaustion. Thankfully no other building became engulfed in flames and only suffered minor damage. None of the patrons or employees at the club were injured at this incident. The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical on the second floor stage. Every Jakeland FD unit operated at the scene along with a Rochelle Heights Engine, FDLC ladder and FDLC Rescue 4. Rehab units from Westbrick and FDLC also responded to the scene. Four Jakeland firefighters would be treated for heat exhaustion at the scene. None would need further medical attention. Mutual Aid from Lego Twp, Lego Regional, Riverwoods, Westbrick, Buena Vista and Portage County was needed to stage at firehouses across the city.
2/26 JAKELAND AVE 3RD ALARM
At 9:58 PM, Jakeland Firefighters were dispatched to 125 Jakeland Ave for a report of a working fire. When Engine 4 arrived on scene first, they found heavy fire on the first floor of a three story brick building. The building was abandoned and currently under renovations. A 2nd Alarm would be requested to the scene soon after Deputy 3 arrived on scene. Flames would quickly consume all three floors of the building and vent through the roof. Multiple aerials would be placed in operation to prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings. An aggressive attack by Tower Ladder 1 and Tower Ladder 2 would keep the flames from spreading. Firefighters would stretch hoses into exposure buildings and keep checks of any extension. The incident would require a 3rd Alarm to the scene, but Jakeland's Bravest would contain the flames in under 2 hours. The cause of the fire would be determined to be an electrical issue on the first floor. All units that would operate at the scene were Engines 4, 2, 5, 1, 6, 15, 12, 13, Tower Ladder 1, Ladder 7, Tower Ladder 2, Ladder 3, Squad 10, Squad 3, Rescue 1, Battalions 1 and 2 and Deputy 3. Rehab and air units from the FDLC would also respond to the scene. One firefighter would suffer a minor injury at this incident and would be transported to Jakeland University Medical Center.
1/1 SOUTH MATTHEWS PL 2ND ALARM
The first run to start 2021 for the Jakeland FD was to a residence on South Matthews Pl for a working house fire. When Engine 2 and Ladder 7 arrived on scene, they found heavy fire on the first floor of the 2.5 story wood frame single family dwelling. Firefighters were alerted by residents that there was someone trapped on the second floor of the home. Deputy 2 requested a second alarm to the scene once he arrived. Firefighters from Engine 2 stretched an attack hose through the front door the battle the blaze, while firefighters from Ladder 7 made entry through the second floor windows to search for the trapped occupant. Engine 4 would stretch a second attack hose to assist Engine 2. The bulk of the flames was quickly knocked down, but firefighters had a difficult and prolonged overhaul due to the conditions inside the home. Members of Ladder 7 found the elderly occupant deceased inside the second floor bathroom. The cause of the fire was determined to be fireworks being fired off inside the home when the clock hit midnight. The fireworks quickly caused items inside the home to combust. The occupant upstairs was upstairs sleeping at the time of the incident and was unable to descend down the stairs due to the volume of fire that quickly extended up the stairs to the second floor. Jakeland's Bravest were on scene until the early morning of New Years Day assisting the County Prosecutor's Arson Investigation Team. One person was taken into custody for setting off the fireworks. Two residents were taken to Jakeland University Medical Center for smoke inhalation and minor burns. No firefighters were injured at this incident. All units that operated at the scene were Engines 2, 4, 5, 1, 6, 15, Ladder 7, Ladder 3, Tower 1, Squad 10, Rescue 1, Battalions 1, 2 and Deputy 2.