July 10th, 2007 - Beaver Falls, Beaver County, PA -- At about 1900 hours on July 10, 2007 the Beaver Falls Fire Dept was dispatched to the 1600 block of 2nd Avenue for a reported structure fire. The duty crew also received a call at the station reporting the same and found a large header of thick black smoke when exiting the station. At this time New Brighton was requested for Tower 84. Chief 11-10 arrived on scene and found a large warehouse at 17th Street and 1st Avenue with heavy smoke showing from all sectors and fire showing from the southwest corner of the building. Engines 99 and 90 as well as Ladder 22 was requested and staging was established at 17th Street and 2nd Avenue. Crews advanced a 2 1/2" handline, a portable deck gun, and the wagon pipe from Engine 11. Tower 11 was set-up in the lot adjacent from the building and once better water supply was established, began ladder pipe operations. Tower 84 was positioned in the alley between 1st and 2nd Avenues, and was supplied for it's ladder pipe by Engine 11-2. Engine 90 reverse laid from Engine 11 to the hydrant at 16th Street and 5th Avenue and pumped to Engine 11. Engine 99 and Ladder 22 were placed into staging. Engines 14 and 44 were requested to respond for manpower due to heat conditions. Crews were rotated throughout the incident to avoid heat exhaustion. Ladder Towers and multiple handlines and master streams were in operation for several hours. The fire was brought under control at about 2158 hours and Ladder Towers remained in operation to overhaul several hot spots. The city's back hoe was brought into the scene to assist in overhaul operations. The building housed about 30 older vehicles as well as several other items that were there for storage. The fire was ruled suspicious. All crews cleared the scene at 2347 hours. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported during the incident.

Assisting Companies:

New Brighton Station 84
West Mayfield Station 99
Patterson Twp. Station 90
White Twp. Station 44
Chippewa Twp. Station 22
Big Beaver Station 14

More pictures can be found at www.BVFN.org

Story by Chris Crawford
Photos by Lori Deems