First, what is your initial onscene report? Based on the conditions you can see - What are the conditions on the top floor of this building?
Borough of Pitcairn, PA - Crews from Pitcairn, Monroeville, FDNV and several other boroughs battles a fire on the top floor of a high rise apartment fire. Crews contained the fire incredibly to the top floor and has minimal damage to the lower floors due to great salvage work. A few firefighters were hurt, but nothing seriously. The fire was truly a sight to be seen at it's peak with the heavy black smoke and fire. (pics and story courtesy of steelvalleyfire.com)
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Four story midrise building, could be ordinary or wood frame, brick veneer construction (need more information to be sure). Unknown occupancy type, but the drapes in the windows may indicate a hotel, retirement home or other residential type occupancy. It could be office, medical building or mixed use depending on what is on the first floor level (need more information to be sure). Black and gray smoke under pressure on the 4th floor, all sides, with concentrations in the Charlie and David quadrant. The building probably doesn't have a sprinkler system and may or may not have a standpipe. The volume and color of smoke indicates we should start with 2 1/2 inch lines. Could be standpiped, highrise packs or packs and preconnect combination. Make the call. Dropping lines out the second or third floor can simplify hose line connection and advancement. Assuming the side facing me in the picture is Side Adam, I have black smoke showing on the David side. The black smoke indicates my hotest point. On side Adam, I have dark gray turbulent smoke under pressure, probably being heat pushed. This could be black smoke that is being filtered as it evacuates the building. If this is the case, this is my hottest point. Note how much more turbulent this smoke is compared to the black smoke on the David side, which seems to relax after it leaves the building. The turbulent smoke tells me to prepare for a flashover once the air/gas mixture is right. The direction of the smoke appears to be from the Charlie/David side to the Adam/Baker side. It is my educated guess that the base fire is in the Charlie quadrant, extending to the David quadrant and moving toward the Adam quadrant. I do not have a good view of the Baker quadrant. My second choice would be that the base fire is in the David quadrant, just because of the increased turbulence and the fact that the smoke may be filtered. The 4th floor is well charged with black and gray smoke, some of which is turbulent. Turbulent smoke indicates temperatures of 1500-1700 degrees. This is not survivable to humans. Companies can expect a zero probability of savable lives unless their is a place of refuge in the Baker quadrant or occupants were able to evacuate to the stairwells. A coordinated offensive attack can happen with 2 1/2 handlines and monitors from stairwells. This building appears to have compartmentation, which will offer some protection to fire crews. The alternative is to ensure the stairwells are clear, confirm a zero survivability of occupants on the top floor and conduct a defensive operation with heavy streams. Once knocked, survey structural stability, conduct overhall of fire floor and roof area. While it is easy to hone in on the the top floor, companies should check all floors below to rule out a void space fire that began below.
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