The Internet is a treasure trove of videos and photos for firefighters to help deepen their understanding of their working environment. In this series, we’ll post a video or photo of a fire incident to discuss. Each post will offer an introduction of each incident, when it occurred, where it occurred, an analysis of what we know and see from the incident, a discussion regarding strategy, but mostly tactical considerations, and a brief closing summary.
The intention of each post is to generate thoughts, discussions, and learning opportunities to improve knowledge and understanding, and to encourage more training. It is not my intention, nor should it be the intention of participants commenting, to cast judgements, critique, criticize, or fault, in any way, the fire departments or crews depicted within each video/picture. The incidents themselves are the focus. Any comments should be from your perspective, within your department, with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), staffing, and resources available to you, as if each incident offered was your own.
Learning from these incidents can expose firefighters to a variety of fire call types, broaden our understanding, hone our size-up observations, emphasize lessons learned and reinforced, and identify areas to consider for improvement.
Incident
This fire above occurred in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 31, 2022. The structure is a 1 ½-story, wood frame, single-family dwelling, with fire in the attic. We do not know conditions upon arrival or how long crews have been operating. The incident commander orders an evacuation 13 seconds into the video.
Analysis
The structure looks like it dates back to the 1950s era, give or take, which suggests that it’s built of solid wood construction. Solid wood is mass, which takes longer to burn through and offers additional time under fire conditions. The structure seems to have been renovated if we look at the modern windows, vinyl siding/porch ceiling elements, updated roof, and right front porch column upgrade. The home appears to have a crawlspace or basement.
- Fighting Fires in Crawlspaces
- Analysis of a Fatal Wind-Driven Fire in a Single-Story House
- The Impact of Ventilation at Structural Fires: Breaking Down the Fire Triangle
- Attic Fires and Knee Walls
There is a significant wind blowing, which can lead to a wind-driven fire condition. We can see in the video how the wind is influencing and pushing fire and smoke from the vent points at the roof. In reading the smoke and building, the fire appears to have started on the Charlie side (rear). Its unclear if the opening at the roof is a vent hole, was a skylight, or burn through occurred.
Fire venting from the gable window and roof is showing unidirectional flow (exhaust). Air intake is coming from a source below. The front door is open, and I suspect another door/window is open in the rear. The air intakes, along with the ventilation points are creating the flow path(s).
Strategic/Tactical Considerations
Each fire is different, and we have a number of options available to combat each fire, but we must choose the options available and best for the fire we are on. In most cases, firefighters begin in the offensive attack mode strategy, and coordinate to quickly apply sufficient volume water on fire and to complete the primary search. Regarding this fire, the first floor appears clear, so advancing a line to the interior through the front door will allow firefighters to protect the first floor and exit egress while an initial search is conducted to clear the first floor. An advance to the upper level to extinguish fire and complete the primary search would follow. If staffing levels allow, these actions would be done simultaneously to search the area closest to fire first.
If the attic space were finished, it would create knee wall voids. If this is the case, crews would knock down the bulk of fire in the attic, then cautiously open up the knee wall in the area they believe the fire migrated into the void. First, make small, low openings into the knee wall to introduce water to cool the surfaces, then open up more to expose and wet down further until extinguishment is complete.
Exterior water application can be highly effective at gaining control of fire, so interior crews can obtain the upper hand, especially in situations where a knee wall void fire is controlling or wind is having a significant impact on the fire. Outside water, when applicable, can be initially used as part of the offensive attack mode to support the interior firefight. The use of an outside stream into the A-frame window (transitional attack) can darken down fire and create rapid cooling and contraction of gases to allow interior crews to gain control and complete extinguishment.
- Lessons Learned from a Successful Transitional Attack
- Building Construction Review
- Transitioning from Offensive to Defensive
An eaves attack, if eaves are easily accessible to open up, can get water directly into the knee wall void and attic space to surface cool. Piercing nozzles as well as distributor nozzles can also be highly effective at getting water into void spaces to help gain fire control. You can also open up the ceiling below, 1-4 feet in from the gable walls (Bravo/Delta sides) and direct water into the knee wall/attic space, similar to an eaves attack. This is because builders often do not lay floor planks 2-4 feet from the outside walls (unusable space).
If rooftop ventilation is being considered, be sure to vent above the fire at the highest point, and also vent the knee wall space (if present) low on the roof (about 2-4 feet in from the gable roof edge).
If the incident commander gives an order to evacuate the building, make a hasty retreat so personnel can be quickly accounted for, and establish defensive operations with outside streams working from corner safe and collapse zone areas.
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Each fire is different, so choose the best strategy and tactical options for each fire incident. Effective knowledge, understanding, and ongoing training will speed the decision-making process to select the best options to efficiently control fire and to complete the primary search. As firefighters, we strive to combat the fire in an offensive attack strategy, but sometimes we have to tackle it from a defensive position if the factors present (controlling fire, wind, structural instability, no life safety hazard, etc.) are negatively influencing a positive outcome. Practice, practice for the expected, and especially for the unexpected. Use incidents like this one to discuss and learn from.
NICK J. SALAMEH is a 36 year veteran of the fire service. He was a Fire/Emergency Medical Services Captain II and previous Training Program Manager for the Arlington County (VA) Fire Department, where he served 31 years. He is a former Chair of the Northern Virginia Fire Departments Training Committee. Nick is also a contributor to Fire Engineering and Stop Believing Start Knowing (SBSK).
