Report Number: 05-0000214
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
My engine company was the third or fourth to arrive. I actually do not recall the exact date. It was about five or six years ago and was not cold out. We had heavy smoke showing while enroute and the first units on scene initiated a fire attack. On our arrival, the crew I was with reported to command and was assigned a fire attack designation. When we started to enter, a crew was coming out stating it was too hot. We advised command and were ordered to make an attack. We entered and were met with moderately high heat and medium smoke conditions. Flames could be seen straight ahead down a hallway. We started to advance and opened the line. It appeared to make headway. Continued to advance and more flames. Opened line and knocked down flame again. After the third or fourth time we could no longer advance due to high temperatures.
I was in the front and advised it was too hot and to back out. The crew backed out and immediately exited the doorway. As I took my second step out the doorway, while still standing on stoop, the entire interior of the house collapsed to the basement. We later found the first on scene crew was fighting a basement fire that was fully involved while we were making the interior attack. The flames were coming up the stairway and blowing hard into what we later found was the kitchen. This was the fire we were encountering down the short hallway.
Lesson Learned
1. Never attack a fire that has a fully involved basement fire underway. This should have been relayed to command and the interior order would have never been given.
2. Everyone needs to be aware of the size-up findings. Hopefully today with safety officers in place these situations will be avoided. Fight the tunnelvision that occurs.
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