UPDATE: OREGON FIREFIGHTERS BURNED IN TRAINING TOWER

Thursday, February 7, 2008

(From Scappoose Fire/Columbia County) The Firefighters were released home yesterday from the hospital in good condition. Some burns to the face and hands as mentioned but no airway problems as they were smart enough not to inhale. There were 10 members that had been going through the live burn props with the builder, rotating through the different staff positions for conducting live fire exercises.

The FF’s just finished a burn demonstration, the crew had knocked it down and as the crew came out, the door was closing, and then it just flashed. The temp in the room was around 300 just before, not a great deal of smoke or unburned particles that would key you to an event. It flashed through the outer room and out the balcony door, which was about 30 feet away. The FF’s got out ASAP. Everybody else is ok; some minor burns and singed hair where the PPE did not cover. They checked each other out, got the two out and began treating, loaded them up and to the hospital. Point to remember is to use your PPE; you must not let your guard down. We thought we were safe as we were out of the burn room.

There is more to learn hear as we get into the details and break it down, so things may change, but it is believed the LEL sensor did not initiate the emergency stop as it was supposed to.