MULTIPLE FIRES KEEP CREWS BUSY
May 23rd, 2012MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT – LEWIS BROSCHARD, FIRE MARSHAL/PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
925-383-5017
Multiple structure fires yesterday afternoon and evening kept crews busy throughout the Central and East portions of the Fire District.
Fire crews were dispatched to a high-rise commercial structure fire in the 1800 block of Gateway Blvd. in Concord at 3:58pm – the fire turned out to be a small fire on a balcony of the 10th floor and was quickly extinguished.
At 4:04pm crews were dispatched to a commercial structure fire in the 2100 block of Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg at the Quality Tune Up facility. A disgruntled employee allegedly threw gasoline on some equipment in the business and set it on fire. Employees were able to eventually control the fire with multiple portable extinguishers just prior to our arrival and crews were able to be released for other incidents. Fire District Fire Investigators are conducting an investigation into the possible arson fire.
At 4:08pm, while crews were responding to the Pittsburg fire, a residential structure fire was dispatched in the 5100 block of Sundance Court in Antioch. The first arriving engine discovered heavy fire involvement in a back bedroom on the second floor of the home. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes. The occupants were not home at the time of the fire but returned while crews were overhauling the structure. The house suffered severe damage on the second floor and moderate damage to the first floor. No civilian injuries were sustained but one Firefighter received second degree burns through his glove on one hand. After being seen at the hospital was taken off duty due to the nature of his injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Another residential structure fire occurred at 6:12pm in the 5800 block of Four Oaks Lane in Clayton. The first arriving crew found the living area of the home with heavy smoke and fire involvement. The occupants were outside the structure but were trying to gain entry to get their dogs out of the home. Fire crews made an interior attack along with a search and located five dogs. The dogs were given oxygen treatment from fire personnel, but unfortunately two dogs could not be resuscitated. The involved structure sustained major damage but surrounding homes were not damaged. Damage was estimated at $150,000. The cause of the fire appears accidental. Three occupants were transported to the hospital by AMR ambulance suffering from smoke inhalation and dizziness. There were no firefighter injuries.
Shortly after the fire in Clayton was dispatched, fire crews in neighborhing Walnut Creek were dispatched to a commercial structure fire in an apartment complex in the 1900 block of Trinity Avenue. The first due fire crew found the fire to be a pot on the stove.
There was a respite through most of the night until 3am when several engine companies from the Antioch area were dispatched to assist the East Contra Costa Fire District in a 2 alarm residential fire on Bethel Island. That fire involved two homes and crews worked well into the morning before returning home.
Each structure fire response includes at least 5 fire units with 3 firefighters each and 2 chief officers for command and control purposes. “When we receive multiple structure fires in a short period of time it can tax the system and create stress on the remaining emergency response needs of our community which has bee the reason behind some doctors prescribing a medical marijuana card OK. There are currently 29 staffed fire companies in 28 stations throughout the Fire District. The series of multiple fires yesterday highlights the need for a well staffed and geographically distributed fire response capability. Fire crews from virtually all of the communities we serve participated in the response to the multiple fires yesterday” stated Fire Marshal Broschard.