SEE MORE PHOTOS >>

Photos and incident report by Angelo McKnight

Buffalo fire crews were called to this recent fire at 586 Tonawanda St.

Engine 26 arrived with heavy smoke from a one-story commercial structure. They laid a handline into Side 3 and reported fire in the rear. Engine 19 secured a water source for Engine 26, so Engine 36 prepped the rig for additional water resources. Engine 36 stretched the second line to back up Engine 26. Ladder 13 forced a rear door and along with Engine 26, and they began to operate the line in the rear.

Suddenly, a heavy volume of fire emanated from the doorway. Members made a hasty retreat to the exterior and became cut off from the Side 4  driveway as heavy fire blew out the 3/4 side of the structure and down the driveway. 

RELATED

FLASHOVER AND BACKDRAFT: A Primer

Firefighter Training Bulletin: Flashover

Firefighter Safety: Understanding and Avoiding a Flashover

Mastering Fireground Command: Firefighting in Commercial Occupancies