Mutual Aid Structure Fire in Rennsselaer Falls
 
By Captain Nicholas Maneely
April 6, 2018
 

During the windstorm on April 4th at approximately 18:40 Canton Fire & Rescue was requested to respond mutual aid to assist neighboring department Rensselaer Falls Fire for a possible working structure fire 985 Old Dekalb Rd. Because members were already on the road answering service calls units were en route almost immediately. Rescue 1, Engine 7, Tanker 20 and Ambulance 133 responded to the scene immediately. When Rensselaer Falls arrived on location, a second alarm was transmitted reporting a confirmed fire in the rear of the dwelling. Upon arrival on scene, the crews from Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went to work immediately to assist in bringing the fire under control. Members on Engine 7 led by Captain Gavin made entry through the basement at the rear of the dwelling and members on Rescue 1 led by Captain Maneely made entry through the front door. Once entering the structure, both teams were met with heavy smoke and high heat conditions with no visible fire. While searching for the seat of the fire, it broke through the floor in the rear of the dwelling creating untenable conditions for firefighters forcing an evacuation. Once all firefighters were accounted for, a second line was placed in service and members made a second attack ultimately bringing the fire under control. Firefighting conditions were made more difficult because of the high winds and the amount of time the fire had progressed unnoticed.

Despite the best efforts of all departments involved, and the continued high winds, the fire did rekindle. At approximately 23:46 departments responded once again to the scene to extinguish the fire. Numerous tanker shuttles were utilized along with a large coordinated exterior attack to again quell the fire. Unfortunately, the home is considered a total loss. Units were back in service around 1:45 AM Thursday morning.

 
Units: Engine 7, Rescue 1, Tanker 20, and Ambulance 133