Firefighters hurt at Monroeville shopping center fire

By Adam Brandolph
TRIBUNE-REVIEW

A firefighter broke his leg early this morning while battling a fire at a Monroeville shopping center.

The fire, which began shortly before midnight and extinguished an hour later, destroyed four of the eight businesses at the 22 Park & Shop plaza on William Penn Highway, said Monroeville fire Chief Harold Katofsky.

The businesses sustained about $1 million in damage, Katofsky said.

Authorities have not determined a cause of the fire.

The firefighter suffered his injury while running a hose across William Penn Highway — Business Route 22 — to the plaza, Katofsky said.

The chief could not say whether a car struck the firefighter, who was taken to UPMC Mercy, Uptown.

“Somehow he got injured next to a car,” Katofsky said. “We’re not sure what the details are.”

Monroeville police are investigating how the firefighter got hurt.

Another firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation at UPMC Mercy and released, Katofsky said.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal’s Office plans to investigate.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_605150.html

Stockdale keeps on truckin’ with high-tech fire engine

By Stacy Wolford
VALLEY INDEPENDENT

STOCKDALE – Jim Georgagis remembers when the Stockdale Fire Department bought a brand new, fully loaded American LaFrance fire engine.

The 1963 vehicle, with a five-speed manual transmission, was the department’s first pumper.

“It was a beauty, still is,” said Georgagis, a life member and past president of the fire department.

After 45 years of service, the classic convertible fire engine will be retired to make room for a new, computerized engine that is set to arrive Jan. 3.

Longtime Stockdale fire Chief Al Marcy said the department hasn’t purchased a new truck since 1982.

“We’re all excited about the new engine,” Marcy said.

Assistant fire Chief Tom Wilkinson and a few other firefighters are planning a Dec. 28 trip to Iowa, where the truck is being manufactured and customized – to make sure it meets all specifications.

The engine is a Toyne heavy pumper capable of pumping 1,500 gallons of water per minute.

The 1963 truck cost only $33,000 and pumped 750 gallons of water per minute. It was the first fire engine with air brakes.

Marcy said the engine cost $330,000. The department received a $270,000 grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

To make up the difference, the department has conducted a number of fundraisers including dances and banquets. A 50th anniversary Stockdale oldies dance last summer was a tremendous success, Marcy said.

A New Year’s Eve oldies dance at the fire hall will feature DJ Jim Dudas.

“We want the public to know that this new fire truck benefits everyone,” Marcy said. “We appreciate all of the support we have received.”

As the firefighters prepare for the newest addition to their fleet, the department’s board of directors had to decide what to do with the 1963 American LaFrance – sell it or keep it.

The decision was unanimous.

“We’re keeping it, mostly for sentimental value,” Georgagis said. “But it still runs, and it’s in great condition.”

Life member, past chief and president Ralph Rozzi, 88, is happy the department is keeping the old engine. He was the fire chief and served on the truck committee when the new pumper was ordered.

“That truck was the best one around,” he said.

Marcy said the department will bring out the classic engine for parades and other events.

For tickets for the New Year’s Eve oldies dance, call Judy Todd at (724) 938-7950.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/s_604049.html

3 firefighters hurt in Armstrong hotel blaze

By Brian C. Rittmeyer
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH

Three firefighters were reported hurt in a fire that destroyed an Armstrong County hotel with no sprinkler system this afternoon.

No guests or employees were said to have been injured in the fire reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Kittanning at 13 Hilltop Plaza.

The roof of the three-floor hotel collapsed about an hour after the fire was reported. By the time the fire was out, most of the roof was gone.

Firefighters issued a general alarm calling for all available help, and firefighters from at least 10 departments were at the scene, said Gary Karns, spokesman for Armstrong County Emergency Management.

East Franklin Fire Chief Mark Feeney said the fire was not suspicious.

The cause was not known, but he said it appeared to have started between the ceiling of the third floor and the roof near an elevator shaft.

Getting the fire under control was made complicated by burning insulation. The building did not have a sprinkler system, Feeney said.

Of the injured firefighters, one suffered a cut to his head after slipping off an icy truck ladder. A second experienced chest pain, while the third was under a ceiling that collapsed, Feeney said.

The extent of their injuries and conditions were not immediately available.

Up to 24 guests were staying at the hotel’s 70 rooms at the time of the fire, according to Karns. Among the hotel’s guests were said to have been a couple who were staying there after losing their home to a fire. The hotel employs 16 people, said a manager who would not give her name.

The fire was first noticed by an employee at a nearby Foodland grocery store who saw smoke coming out of a rooftop vent, Karns said.

The fire sent up a column of dark smoke visible from miles away. Despite the blaze, shopping appeared to go on as usual at a nearby Wal-Mart and other businesses in the plaza.

Sue Kijowski of Ford City had worked at the hotel as a housekeeper since it opened 13 years ago, and was said to be the last remaining original employee. Sitting in a minivan in the parking lot, she said she was cleaning a room on the second floor when the alarms went off.

She said she knocked on doors, finding a guest in one room who she told to get out before leaving herself.

“Somebody said the roof was on fire so we all got out,” she said. “It’s a shame. It’s sad.”

Not all of the hotel’s guests were in their rooms at the time of the fire. Norman Ferguson of South Plainfield, N.J. was at a wake for his wife’s grandfather when he got word the hotel was on fire. He and other family had four rooms on the hotel’s second and third floors.

Firefighters recovered Ferguson’s belongings, including his 8-year-old daughter Natalie’s teddy bear, which she was worried about. “She’ll be happy it’s there,” he said.

Mark Brumbaugh, of Ford City and a former volunteer firefighter, was at the nearby King’s Restaurant when he saw what he first thought was snow blowing from the roof of the hotel. He quickly realized it was smoke.

Brumbaugh said he went to the front desk, got a list of guests and set about pounding on doors across all of the hotel’s three floors, focusing on the ones he knew were being used.

“I went in and pounded on doors and got one guy out” from a room on the smoke-filled third floor, he said. “I was worried about somebody burning up. I didn’t want to see anybody burn up at Christmastime.”

The Red Cross and Salvation Army responded.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_602881.html

Woman Escapes Vanderbilt Fire

According to Fayette County 911, volunteer firefighters from DL&V, Dawson, Morrell, Connellsville Township and Monarch responded to the blaze that broke out shortly after 5 a.m. at the home on Pittsburgh Street. An unidentified woman inside the house when it caught fire was able to escape through a window. A motorist passing the home spotted the flames through a front window of the home and had neighbors call 911 while he attempted to extinguish the fire until firefighters arrived. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known. No further information was available Friday afternoon.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20220731&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

Ben Avon Fire

Crews battled a residential structure fire at 422 Walnut Street in Ben Avon.  More photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/smokeyff/BenAvonFire#

Motley Crue’s Favorite Strip Club Up In Ashes.

Gas Line Struck In Stowe Township

STOWE TOWNSHIP – Officials say that firefighters have been called to Stowe Township where a gas line has reportedly been struck.

It’s happening at McCoy Road and Jefferson Street.

According to initial reports, a water company that was working at scene hit the line.

Right now, there’s no word on whether anyone has been evacuated from the area.

West Ridge Afternoon Motor Vehicle Crash During Evening Rush Hour

Wednesday, December 3rd – At 4:10pm, Station 46/47 was dispatched for a vehicle accident at West 26th and Loveland Ave.  Chief 460 arrived on location and reported 2 vehicles with moderate damage in the right lane.  As Millcreek Paramedics were tending to patient care, Engine 473 arrived on location and handled fluids and debris with assistance from Truck 477.  MP-35 did transport 1 person to an Erie hospital for treatment.  Fire Police handled traffic duties.  Crews cleared the scene at 4:29pm.

More information can be found at http://www.westridgefire.org/

Fair Oaks VFD Firefighter Survival Training

Fair Oaks recently participated in a firefighter survival training session on December 1st.  Check out their site at http://www.fovfd.org for a complete set of pictures.

United VFR responds to Residential Structure Fire

At 4:43pm on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 UVFR stations 135 and 287 along with Wilmerding station 306, Pitcairn Station 230 and E. McKeesport police were alerted to a possible structure fire in the 1200 block of Melrose Street in E. McKeesport.

Police quickly arrived on scene and confirmed a working structure fire, and FDNV R 213 was added for additional personnel.

UVFR R-135, T-287, Q 135 and A 331 responded with a total of 17 members.

Crews made an aggressive interior attack, bringing the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes.

The cause is under investigation by the Allegheny County Fire Marshall.

Units responding: R 135, T 287, Q 135, A 331, E 306-1 and 306-2, R 213, E 230-1 (RIT), and R 113 (air services)

Other agencies assisting: E. McKeesport PD, Allegheny County Fire Marshall, Salvation Army Disaster Services.

Command: DC135 (Spielvogle)

View more info at www.uvfr.org

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