Fire Department Activity for March

There were three separate apartment fires in the month of March.  On 3/12 crews from Stations One, Two and Three responded to a fire in the kitchen of a basement apartment in Mounds View.  Residents from at least 28 apartments waited on an MTC bus until crews finished salvage and overhaul.  Fire damage was contained to the apartment and room of origin.  The door to the apartment one floor above had to be replaced after crews had forced entry to complete primary and secondary searches.  Responding units:  Chief 3, Engine 1, Engine 8, Engine 2, Ladder 12, Ladder 17, and Air Utility 16. 

On 3/30 Stations One and two responded to a fire in the bathroom of a basement apartment also in Mounds View.  Residents from at least 35 apartments had to be relocated for approximately one week.   The fire started in or near a bathroom fan, burned away most of the bathroom ceiling between the lower and 2nd floors, traveled throughout the ceiling of the basement apartment, and inside the walls all the way to the roof above the third floor. The walls in the main stairwell had to be breached to complete overhaul causing the building to be completely closed to all residents.   Responding unites were Chief 2, Chief 3, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 5, Ladder 12, Rescue 10, Air Utility 16, and an Engine company from New Brighton.   Less than ten minutes from the dispatch of this fire, Stations Three and Four were dispatched to another apartment fire in Spring Lake Park.  Neighbors were able to enter the unlocked apartment and extinguish the fire located on the stove.  Responding units were Chief 5 and Engine 8.

On 3/29 Stations Two and Three were dispatched to a possible basement fire at a residence in Blaine.  The residents had been away and returned to a home full of smoke.   Upon arrival, crews observed the home full of smoke but thought that the smoke smelled more like burned food than the product of a structure fire.  An investigation of the oven produced a pan of chicken that had been under the broiler for three hours.  It is likely that the closed oven heated up until the safety element engaged allowing the oven to cool.  This process likely occurred several times while the residents were away.  The home was ventilated and all units cleared.  Responding units were Chief 2, Chief 6,  Engine 8, Engine 2,  and Ladder 17. 

Ed Lanz Retires from Fire Department

Ed Lanz retires

Ed Lanz has announced his retirement as a Fire & Life Safety Educator with the Spring LakePark-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department after 10 years of volunteer service to the community.

Ed joined the department and was assigned to Station Three as an EducatorLiaison.  During the course of his 10 years, Ed completed 3,255 volunteer hours.

Ed conducted public fire and life safety education throughout the three cities focusing on senior safety.  Ed worked closely with the local cable TV stations to deliver public safety information, along with being the Educator Liaison to Prince of Peace School.  Ed was instrumental in developing the “Senior Safety Fair” currently in the 7th year.  Ed was also named Mounds View “Citizen of Year” in 2007.

In addition, Ed was certified as a First Responder.

Ed will be presented with a commemorative badge at his last drill scheduled for 8:30 am on Tuesday, April 22.  Upon presentation of the badge by the Fire Chief Nyle Zikmund, Ed will introduce his family and friends and have the opportunity to address the crew.  Ed will also receive a commemorative axe at the annual Awards Banquet December 6, 2008.

Fire Department Activity for February

Too Cold To Burn?
Weather in February continued the trend of cold temperatures.  While people may acclimate to the climate, water pipes do not.  Unfortunately, sprinkler systems meant to protect property caused considerable damage when the pipes were improperly insulated.  In February, two homes were damaged by water when sprinkler pipes burst due to freezing. 

At the Northtown Mall, tensions were high when a call of a collapsed ceiling and with smoke showing; Station One and Two were dispatched.  The ceiling was within one of the breezeway main entrances to the mall.  The reported smoke was actually steam created when the water from the sprinkler pipe was exposed to the frigid below zero temperatures.  There were no injuries at the mall, but significant damage to heating, electrical, and structural components of the entry way as well as a small pond of water.

There were no significant structural fires in February, in light of the fact, that people often exert extra effort to warm their homes raising the potential for structural fires.

Watch What You Heat, But Don’t Clean What You Heat
Later in the month, one of the senior high-rise apartment buildings in Blaine, Stations One and Two responded, reported a burning smell in the hallways.  The smell was traced to an apartment where a resident had used the auto cleaning feature for the oven but had not removed a frying pan prior to starting.   The handle of the pan had ignited and burned causing a noxious odor to fill the apartment and hallways. 

Code Blue
Requests for assistance with CPR have become common place.  Three of the five requests for help resulted in the patient being transported to the hospital with a firefighter or two riding along to assist with patient care while enroute to the hospital. 

It’s Not a Door, But It Will Work
Station Four was dispatched to a rollover accident on 35W just south of 95th Ave.  Rescue 14 and Engine 4 responded.  Crews observed a vehicle on its side with one female occupant trapped inside.  Crews removed the windshield from the vehicle and assisted the elderly female driver from the vehicle. The driver was then back boarded and carried out to the ambulance. Engine 4 assisted with scene shielding.

Fire Department Activity for January

On January 10, Chief 3 and Station Two responded to a CO alarm in Blaine.  The occupants were feeling sick when the alarm sounded.  They evacuated the home immediately.  Crews did detect dangerous levels of CO in the home.  The gas company was called to check the furnace and appliances.  They were operating properly.  Upon further investigation, crews discovered that the homeowner had started and ran his vehicle in the garage to warm the engine.

Nineteen days later, Station Four responded to a CO alarm in Blaine.  According to the 3 gas meter used by crews, CO levels in this home were dangerously high.  CO levels in the garage were lethal.  Unusual for CO calls was a Lower Explosive Level reading of 5%.  Upon further investigation, crews determined that a faulty car battery had released high levels of methane gas after being attached to a battery charger. Crews ventilated the garage and home and all detectable gasses were removed

On January 21, the residents of a home in Spring Lake Park reported a smell similar to a camp fire within their home.  They also reported that there was light smoke coming from their furnace.  Along with Chief 6, crews from Stations One and Two responded in Engine 1, Aerial 12, Engine 2, and Engine 5.  Crews discovered a small fire in the attic.  The ceiling and portions of a wall were breached in order to extinguish the fire. 

Fire Department Activity for December
On Monday, November 26, we responded to a fire on Pierce street (reported in November Serious and Unusual, Man Flees Burning Home After Debris from Explosion Strikes Him in the Head).  In this fire, the utility/laundry room was destroyed by fire after the homeowner claimed he heard an explosion. One week later, less than two blocks away, Stations Three and Two were dispatched to another house fire on Pierce Street which also originated in the laundry/utility room.  Engine 8, Ladder 17, Engine 2, Engine 5, Utility 16 and Chief 6 responded.  Tensions for responding crews were high as many assumed that there might be a natural gas issue causing explosions and fire in the vicinity of the Pierce street neighborhood.  The first fire is still under investigation.  The second fire was the result of clothing being stacked too close to the water heater on laundry day.  Access to that fire was hampered when crews discovered the basement door was blocked by a gym weight set.  Hose lines had to be relocated to the front of the home forcing crews to descend down into the basement to attack the seat of the fire.  Fire damage was contained to the laundry room with smoke and water damage throughout the remainder of the house. 

On December 5, while clearing the snow from an alleyway behind a strip mall containing a Rainbow Foods Grocery Store, a snow plow driver struck a gas meter rupturing one of the gas feeds into the mall.  A maintenance crew working at the Rainbow later smelled the leak prompting them to dial 911.  Station One and Chief 6 responded.  Police arriving on the scene reported a very strong smell of natural gas.  Engine 2’s crew located the damaged gas meter behind Marshal's and was able to stop the leak by shutting off the flow of gas to the meter.  The gas company was requested to the scene to replace the meter and restore service to the effected business.  Stores within the mall were checked for the presence of gas.

On Friday, December 21, Station Three was dispatched to a Personal Injury Accident that would require extrication.  Engine 8 and Utility 14 responded.  Upon arrival, crews observed police and witnesses pulling a limp 2 year old girl from the rear of a car involved in the two car, high speed accident.  Trapped in the driver’s seat was the aunt of the two year old girl.  The car seat had come loose in the accident causing it to be thrust forward into the front seats of the car.  The 2 year old was not breathing and had a very weak pulse. It appeared as if the girl would die on the scene.  An Automatic Electronic Defibrillator was employed but no shock was advised.  Crews provided rescue breathing with an oxygenated bag-valve-mask.  The child began breathing sporadically with a breath about every 8 to 10 seconds.  Two firefighters assisted with transport to North Memorial Medical Center.  The child made a full recovery and was released the same day.  Crews also extricated the aunt from the car and she was transported along with the driver of the other car.  Crews were very thankful for the medical training they had received and were ecstatic with the opportunity to celebrate the holidays knowing they had made a difference.

Fire Department Activity for November

Firefighters Save Pets Too  Sunday, November 11 Engine 2 and Chief 3 responded to a request for assistance to remove a dog that was sheltering in a culvert.  Engine 2 crew dragged a charged pre-connected hose line with cribbing attached through the culvert to get the dog to exit.

Creating Convertibles for Fall and Winter  Two roll over vehicular accidents required the removal of the roof in order to extricate occupants.  Stations One and Two responded to a roll-over accident located on westbound Hwy 10 in front of Medtronic that required extrication.  Crews used hydraulic tools to remove the roof from a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu.  The driver was back-boarded and transported.  Station One responded to a collision accident at the intersection of Edgewood and County Hwy 10.  A Buick Lesebre was driven into the back of a stopped vehicle in the left turn lane, struck a moving car in the intersection, and careened across the eastbound ditch coming to rest between two trees.  Crews used hydraulic tools to remove the roof from the car.  The driver was back-boarded and transported.  Injuries in both of these accidents were minor.  Efforts to extricate were expedited by the pre-connected automobile extrication tools installed on the new engines delivered in May. 

CO Detector Saves a Family  Station Three was called to a CO detector alarming. Engine 8 crew entered the home with a 3-gas detector to check the CO level.  The monitor reported a level of 51 ppm in the furnace room.  The home was evacuated.  The father and son were feeling ill and the daughter said she was feeling fine. The gas company was requested to respond.  The family was assessed by an ambulance crew.  The mother had arrived at 6:30 and stated she had a headache for a couple of days.  The local gas company arrived and requested the home to be ventilated prior to making entry. 

Stations Three and Four responded to a report of a gas oven on fire in the home. Police arrived and confirmed a working stove fire. Police had used extinguisher and knocked down fire in the oven and then shut the gas off at the meter on the outside of the house. Chief 3 had Engine 8 checked out the stove to ensure the fire was out and Engine 5 and Rescue 14's crews ventilated. Fire was contained to the oven compartment of the stove. The fire occurred when the home owner put the oven into a self cleaning mode without realizing that the pumpkin seeds she had roasted earlier were still in the oven.

SBM Chief 5 along with Stations Two, Four and One responded to a reported structure fire. Chief 5 arrived on scene and reported nothing showing. Chief 5 found no visible fire problem from exterior the home and found that the house was locked. Chief 5 detected the odor of a possible kitchen fire and kept all units responding emergency. Chief 5 ordered Engine 1 and Ladder 12's crew to force entry through a rear garage door to gain access into the home. Upon gaining entry to the home Engine 1 reported a pan fire on the stove with moderate smoke inside the home. Engine 1's crew was able to remove the pan from the home and ventilation operations were then commenced. Chief 5 held Engine 1 and Ladder 12 on scene and cleared all other units. Once ventilation was complete all remaining SBM units cleared.

Stations Three and Four responded to a report of a potholder that was on fire. The homeowner thought it was out and placed it back in the cabinet drawer and it started the drawer and contents on fire. Homeowner reported that fire was out again but wanted fire to respond to confirm. The kitchen was checked; found was several hot pad holders in the sink that had been on fire. Also a drawer that was removed which had scorching on both sides and fire damage and charring on the front of the cabinet and under the counter top. No additional extension was found and the area was soaked down.

Garage Fire

Friday September 9th, at 10:30pm the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department responded to a fully engulfed garage fire on the 7300 block of Parkview Terrace in Mounds View. The fire soon spread to the neighboring home causing damage to the garage and siding. It is unknown if the smoke alarms were sounding. The home was not sprinklered. The residents escaped safely and the cat was rescued. 9 Fire fighters and 4 fire apparatus got the two house fires under control in 26 minutes, but stayed for over 4 hours to overhaul the fire and investigate. The American Red Cross was called for the family. Estimated damage to the home and contents is $190,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

In just three days, the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department was called to significant fires in two different households. Thursday, April 11th at approximately 1pm, the Blaine Police were notified of a motion alarm at a home on the 11800 block of Palisade Street. The resident arrived at the same time as the Police. It was quickly discovered that there was a fire in the home. The smoke alarms were alarming, but were not part of the automatic alarm system. The area of origin was the kitchen. No one was injured. The preliminary cause of the fire was unattended cooking.

Early in the morning on Saturday, April 14th, two residents found smoke in their home and ran to the neighbor's home to call 911. The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the eaves of the manufactured home on the 9600 block of Fillmore Street. The smoke alarm was not functioning per the resident. Flames were shooting out both windows. The nearby garage was exposed to the heat and flames but was saved by the firefighters. The home was almost entirely lost to the fire. Two residents were injured and transported by ambulance to HCMC. The preliminary cause of the fire was candles.

Loss of contents and property to both homes was $225,000. Neither homes had residential sprinklers.

At 5:30am Sunday, November 19th, 911 was called by a neighbor with a report of a house fire on the 9700 block of Xebec Street. Blaine Police first on the scene saw the home involved in fire. They forced entry looking for the residents, but found they were out of town. Smoke alarms were sounding. There were no residential sprinklers in the home. 19 firefighters from the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department attacked the burning home. The fire was fought for over 1 hour before declaring it under control. The Salvation Army helped the firefighters during the cold morning. Most of the roof collapsed. Radiant heat damaged the siding and roof of the home to the south. Loss to the property and content is $400,000.

Man caught in Conveyor

October 31; Station Three was dispatched to a report of a man that was pulled unto a conveyor belt on a machine, the man was trapped and unconscious. Upon arrival the man had been removed from the machine and Blaine Police and Allina paramedics were conducting CPR. Station Three’s personnel assisted with CPR, a pulse was detected twenty minutes into CPR efforts. He was put on a back board and transported to Unity Hospital.

Boy Stuck in Mud

October 29; Station Five was dispatched to a boy stuck in the mud. Blaine Police had located the boy and a thrown a survival disk to him before District Chief Erko arrived. The boy was waist deep in mud at the bottom of a thirty foot deep excavation site surrounded by gray mud with water leaking out around him. Firefighters were able to secure the boy with rescue rope and pull him free. Engine Two assisted with back boarding, he was then transported with Allina to Mercy Hospital.

House Fire

Early in the morning of Monday, August 7th a homeowner on 113th block of Cord Ct in Blaine, woke to smoke alarms sounding and the smell of smoke. The four residents quickly evacuated and called 911. The report from the homeowners was that the dryer was on fire and the ceiling of the home had flames showing. Blaine Police first on the scene ensured all residents were out. First arriving firefighters could see heavy fire involvement in the lower level walkout of the back of the 5 story home. The homeowner received minor injuries, was treated and released from the hospital. Three family pets perished in the home. Mutual Aid was received from Centennial and Ham Lake Fire Departments. The Fire Chaplain assisted the family. The home did not have residential sprinklers. The loss was $700,000 to contents and property. The fire started in the laundry room near the dryer.

Basement Fire

Residents on the 107th block of President Drive in Blaine safely evacuated from a smoky home August 1st. 911 was called from outside. First arriving firefighters found smoke coming from around the closed windows and from the furnace flue pipe on the roof of the two-story home. The family and two cats had lived in the home for 45 years. The fire crews found a small fire in the basement and quickly extinguished it. There was heavy smoke damage throughout the house, but the only fire damage was in the basement. Firefighters saved both cats, but one was given oxygen on the scene. There were no residential sprinklers or working smoke alarms. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Loss to contents and property is $100,000.

Garage fire spreads to house

Around noon on Wednesday, June 27th, a homeowner on the 700 block of Maple Street in Spring Lake Park saw smoke coming from his garage.  On further investigation the resident found his detached garage in flames.  911 was called and the family evacuated safely.  911 Dispatch reported that the Spring Lake Park Police on the scene said the garage had collapsed and that the house was involved in the fire.  Three stations of the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department were dispatched, plus Mutual Aid from the Fridley Fire Department.  The fire was knocked down quickly, but there was extensive overhaul.  The loss to property and contents is $309,000.  The cause of the fire was misuse of an ignition device.