2nd Alarm Fatality Fire

Contact: Fire Engineer Tom Rubio, PIO

Contact Number: 909-384-5406

Date: December 18, 2009

Location: 2100 Block of N. Sierra Way

Time of the call: 04:42 A.M.

First Unit on the scene: B607

Number of Units: 12

Number of Firefighters: 34

Injuries: 0

Fatalities: 1

Property Loss/Damage: 120,000.00

Contents Loss: 30,000.00

Property Saved: 250,000.00

Additional information:

This morning at 4:42 a.m., firefighters from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to working structure fire in an abandoned commercial building in the 2100 block of North Sierra Way. First arriving units reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the south (delta) side of the building. A second alarm was requested and an interior attack was initiated concurrently with search and rescue operations. Firefighters discovered a victim near the southeast exit door but unfortunately the victim had already perished. A cause and origin has not been determined and the fire remains under investigation. Initial knockdown of the fire was obtained within fifteen minutes and total control was declared within thirty minutes.

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“Black Friday" hits North-end home in San Bernardino

Contact: PIO Steve Tracy
Contact Number: 909-646-2616
Date: 11/27/2009
Location: 3287 North I St.
Time of the call: 0338 - single engine company response for a “smoke investigation”
0349 – After several minutes of investigating the area, the source of smoke was located and a request, for a full first alarm structure assignment was made.
First Unit on the scene: Medic Engine 224
Number of Units: 6 units
Number of Firefighters: 17
Injuries: none reported
Fatalities: none
Property Loss/Damage: $60,000 in structure damage
Contents Loss/Damage: $15,000 in contents – mostly due to smoke damage
Property Saved: $110,000 structure, $10,000 contents

Additional information: San Bernardino City Firefighters were initially dispatched to a “smoke investigation”, the single engine company encountered fairly heavy, low hanging smoke, throughout the neighborhood. After several minutes investigating the area the engine company determined the source of smoke was being generated from a single family residential home. The company officer on the responding engine immediately requested back-up by calling for a full structure response to there location. Once additional fire equipment arrived on scene firefighters were able to engage in an aggressive fire attack. The fire was located at 3:49 am and brought under control within 11 minutes.

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and caused by children leaving pillows and blankets on top of a floor furnace. The fire could have been tragic, as several children where attending a sleepover and very heavy smoke was pushing out of the house. Fortunately, the children were sent to a baby sitters house so that the mother could shop for “Black Friday” bargains at a local retail store. The home did not have smoke detectors. Firefighters left the scene at 05:25 after an extensive overhaul operation.

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Firefighters Save a Wheelchair Bound Person from a Residential Structure Fire

Contact: George Avery, Battalion Chief

Contact Number: 909-384-5286

Date: November 18, 2009

Location: 1096 W. 23rd

Time of initial call: 00:37

First unit on scene: 00:41 a.m.

Rescue Affected: 00:46 a.m.

Fire under control: 01:00 a.m.

Number of Fire units: 6

Number of Firefighters: 17

Injuries: 0

Fatalities: 0

Number of persons transported to Hospitals: 0

Property Loss/Damage: Property $30,000. Contents: $2,000

Property valued at $100,000

Additional information:

When San Bernardino City Fire units arrived on scene, they found a smoke and flames coming from the rear of a single family structure that was quickly building in the family room of the house. A family member reported her husband was still inside stricken to a wheelchair and was unable to get out. Firefighters quickly affected a rescue then went back in to combat the fire. The fire started at the electrical panel and extended into the house. The fire was confined to the room of origin. Red Cross was called to house the 4 adults and one minor. The fire was caused by a faulty electrical panel.

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Two-alarm fire in multi-unit apartment complex

Contact: Tom Rubio

Contact Number: 909-384-5408

Date: November 17, 2009

Location: 2920 Miramonte Drive

Time of initial call: 1:18 p.m.

First unit on scene: 1:23 p.m.

Fire under control: 1:33 p.m.

Number of Fire units: 10

Number of Firefighters: 31

Injuries: 0

Fatalities: 0

Number of persons transported to Hospitals: 0

Property Loss/Damage: $3,000.

Property valued at $275,000

Additional information:

When San Bernardino City Fire units arrived on scene they found smoke and flames coming from a down stairs, four unit apartment complex. Residents in the upstairs and downstairs adjacent units were evacuated. Firefighters made entry through the front door, found smoke throughout the apartment and checked for any victims inside. Fire was found in one bedroom and was extinguished in ten minutes. No one was found inside the apartment. Fire was confined to the one apartment and bedroom. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their apartments sometime later. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Garage catches fire while occupant home.

Contact: Tom Rubio

Contact Number: 909-384-5408

Date: November 17, 2009

Location: 2241 East 18th Street

Time of initial call: 2:31 p.m.

First unit on scene: 2:40: p.m. Fire under control: 3:07 p.m.

Number of Fire units: 6 Number of Firefighters: 20

Injuries: 0 Fatalities: 0

Number of persons transported to Hospitals: 0

Property Loss/Damage: Property $80,000. Contents $10,000.

Property valued at $175,000

Additional information: When the first San Bernardino City Fire Unit arrived, they found an attached garage well involved in fire and smoke. They made contact with a female occupant who had exited the home. Firefighters quickly determined that no one else was inside the home. Six of the City’s twelve fire units responded containing the fire to the garage and a small portion of the attic. Minor smoke damaged was also found throughout the remainder of the 1200 square foot single-story home. The occupants will not be allowed to re-enter the home due to the damage and will seek shelter with family members. Cause of the fire is undetermined.

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Two alarm structure fire in apartment complex

Contact: Mike Arvizo Firefighter/PIO

Contact Number: (909) 384-5207

Date: November 18, 2009

Location: 1930 W. College Ave (Broadstone Serrano Apartments)

Time of initial call: 10:31 a.m.

First unit on scene: 10:37 a.m.

Fire under control: 10:47 p.m.

Number of Fire units: 10 Number of Firefighters: 31

Injuries: 0 Fatalities: 0

Number of persons transported to Hospitals: 0

Property Loss/Damage: Unable to estimate Contents: Unable to estimate

Additional information: When San Bernardino City Fire units arrived on scene they found heavy smoke and flames coming from an upstairs apartment which was part of an eight unit building. Residents in the upstairs and downstairs adjacent units were evacuated. Firefighters made entry through the front door, found smoke throughout the apartment and checked for any victims inside. Fire was found in the kitchen and living room area and was extinguished in ten minutes. Quick action by firefighters most likely kept the fire from getting into the attic and spreading throughout the building. No victims were found inside the apartment. The fire was confined to the one apartment but did partially burn the exterior eaves above the living room window. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their apartments sometime later. The cause of the fire is under investigation but initial reports were of a grease fire on the stove.

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Two homes burn in the same neighborhood

Contact: PIO Steve Tracy
Contact Number: 909-646-2616
Date: November 15, 2009
Location: 1423 Bussey Street.
Time of the call: 12:30 A.M.
First Unit on the scene: ME-223
Number of Units: 6
Number of Firefighters: 18
Injuries: 0
Fatalities: 0
Additional information:
Early this morning, firefighters from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire. Arriving units found flames coming from the rear of a house. Smoke could be seen covering the neighborhood homes as fire department units arrived. The home was vacant and secured with a “For Rent” sign in the front yard. Fire units quickly extinguished the fire that was possibly started by a trash-can burning next to the structure and below a patio cover. The fire spread into the attic of the home.

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While firefighters worked to extinguish the flames a second report came from a neighbor that there was smoke in her home. The quick action from the units on-scene kept the damage to the second home minimal. Another smaller trash can was found burning next to the woman’s rear wood garage door. Both fires are under investigation and were very similar in how they were started.

Residents Escape Fire Unharmed

Contact: Fire Engineer Ken Yellen, PIO

Contact Number: 909-384-5207

Date: October 30, 2009

Location: 190 N. Meridian Ave.

Time of the call: 4:37 A.M.

First Unit on the scene: ME-229

Number of Units: 6

Number of Firefighters: 17

Injuries: 0

Fatalities: 0

Property Loss/Damage: 25,000.00

Contents Loss: 30,000.00

Additional information:

Early this morning, firefighters from the San Bernardino City Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a mobile home park located at 190 North Meridian Avenue. First arriving units encountered a well involved single wide mobile home. Luckily, the mobile home park was located within a hundred feet of Fire Station 229 and a quick response from firefighters stationed there prevented the fire’s spread to other trailers. Three residents that live there were able to escape unharmed. Arson Investigators determined the fire started in the kitchen area but have not determined a definitive cause.

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