Report Number: 05-0000227
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
It's been several years since this fire so the times are going to be off. Dispatched on a building fire, (occupancy name deleted), after lightning had struck the building. Automatic (fire department designator deleted) called, (for a) 2 alarm fire. I was a private at the time and responded with our rescue unit. Our assignment was to pull a 2 1/2 inch line and assist 2 crews already inside to extinguish the fire. After it was all said and done the next shift day our arson investigator had the crews who responded return to the scene to critique the fire and show us why I am submitting this report. Once inside he directed our eyes up to the lightweight steel truss supports. There were approx. 12-20 in total. Every single lightweight truss that had been exposed to the fire was twisted anywhere from 45 degress to two that I noted were twisted a complete 180 degrees. All were still supported amazingly by the vertical steel uprights. It was at that time that I realized how close that roof was to collapsing. There were at the time at least 5 crews inside working that fire. Luckily no one was injured.
Lesson Learned
1. Appreciate preplans and the study of building construction.
2. Consider the time that structural members have been exposed to heat and flame. You've always read how steel can elongate and twist when exposed to heat. Seeing it first hand, and having been involved in a fire with them, I will take all that into consideration next time.
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