| One minute before 2230, Area Box 4-02 was alerted to 18466 Three Notch Road in St James for the reported working barn fire. Within minutes of dispatch, Engines 43 (Chief 4B Mercure), 44 (Capt. Keister), 141, 33, 93, Tanker 4 (Safety Officer Raley), Rescue Engine 42 (Water Supply Officer Cooper), Truck 3, Water Supply 5, Chiefs 4 (Raley) and 3 (Gould) were responding with approximately 45 personnel.
Chiefs 4 and 3 arrived together and advised of a large garage workshop well off. Engine 43 was first arriving and laid dual 3 and 4 inch supply lines down the driveway. Engine 33 arrived and picked up the 4 inch line, while Tanker 4 arrived and took the 3 inch line. As attack lines were being pulled by the crew of 43, loud pops could be heard and units were advised to be cautious in the area. After further size up, two additional tankers (Engines 63 and 74) were requested to the scene. Engine 141 arrived next, and took the driveway to the immediate south of the source of the fire. They laid in a five inch line which was then supplied by Engine 44 and Rescue Engine 42.
As the size up was continuing to be made, it was found that there were exposures on the Alpha, Bravo and Delta sides. Ladders were thrown to the Alpha side and the exposure on the Delta side was checked with a thermal imager. After it was confirmed that the fire was contained to the fire building, an aggressive attack was initiated. As water supply was being completed, crews began opening up the interior and continuing the fire attack.
Water Supply 5 then established a hydrant source point at St. Mary's College. From there, the tankers left and filled with water. After the bulk of the fire was knocked, it was then found that a moderate sized brush fire had begun behind the Delta exposure. With that, members from Engines 44, 141, 93 and Rescue Engine 42 began attacking the fire. After a brief period, the fire was knocked and a tree was cut down due to fire climbing it.
Shortly thereafter, the fire was placed under control and held it with the units from 4, 14, 3 and 9. Units returned to quarters at 0111 after extensive overhaul operations.
Audio: http://www.bdvfd.org/content/video/Barn-Fire-12.5.10.mp3
Photos courtesy of John Douglass |
