| At 05:25 fire tones dropped for a brush fire in 15,900 block of Dolphin Drive in Montclair. Neighbors reported that the woods across the street from their house were starting to catch on fire. As Engine 517B (M. Fricke, L. Campbell, and S. Jones) neared the scene they saw large flames well into the sky beyond a recreational area at Dolphin Beach Community Park. After cutting a chain to gain access to the area E517B marked on-scene reporting a structure near the lake fully involved. E517B requested an additional engine company and a tanker due to the distance of the nearest hydrant and no access to the nearby lake due to elevation and terrain.
PWCC then filled the box assignment due to other nearby exposures and the residential location. The compliment was soon downgraded on route and all specialty pieces were placed in-service. Engine 503 (B. Campbell, C. Griffin, S. Smith, L. Hewlett, R. Boyle, & J. Thornburg) and Engine 506 continued to assist with water supply as E517B ran dry during the initial attack. E503 arrived and dropped a supply line near the entrance to the park and laid out to E517B. E503 supplied E517B with tank water to continue fire attack efforts until E506 established a water supply approximately 1,600 feet away.
E517B and E503 then placed an additional line in-service and were able to extinguish the fire. BC505 arrived on scene and established Dolphin Command. Based on the color of flames and small explosions, crews fought the fire from a safe distance until most of the debris was cooled or identified as safe. Hazmat Support 506 and the on-duty Fire Marshall was requested due to fire damage and building contents.
After extinguishment, E506 took over salvage and overhaul as the next shift/career crews from Stations 3 and 17 arrived a short time later to relieve the volunteer personnel on scene. All units remained on scene and assist the Fire Marshall's' Office with their investigation.
The structure involved was determined to be an enclosed pumping station measuring approximately 20'x30' made of wood and metal; containing large machinery. All remaining crews cleared the scene by 08:30.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. |
