Report Number: 07-0000731
Report Date: 02/17/2007
Event Description
We responded to a working residential house fire that was caused by children playing with fireworks that are illegal in this state. Fire quickly spread to the attic of this 3,000 square foot semi-custom home with a tile roof. Occupants were on vacation as this was the 4th of July weekend. The first engine company to arrive assumed command and reported a working fire. Upon arrival of my unit, a ladder company, we were instructed to provide vertical ventilation. Time in the incident was about 20 minutes. I completed the cut with a power saw and was preparing to exit the roof when I saw 2 members of my crew (the captain and other driver) fall through the roof sheathing and into the well involved attic. I attempted to rescue both, as my side of the roof was still intact. While en-route to their location, I too, fell into the well involved attic. I became trapped for approximately 7 seconds in heat and fire that was approximately 2000 degrees. For reasons unknown, I was able to jump out of the hole I had fallen into, and self extricated my self off of the roof. I received 1st and 2nd degree burns to my left hand and left leg. The only reason that I am able to share this story is because I was wearing full protective clothing with my SCBA face piece on. This would not have been a survivable incident if we had not been wearing full protective clothing.
Lesson Learned
#1 Lesson learned. The wearing of full protective clothing with the SCBA face piece on saved our lives.
#2 Residential light weight truss construction with tile roofs is a killer for firefighters.
#3 Our department policy is not to vertical ventilate these roofs any longer.
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