Story by Becky Robinette Wright
Photos by Henrico firefighter Garreth Overstreet
After responding to an overturned vehicle call on a local interstate, Henrico (VA) County Divsion of Fire Engine 11 was returning to quarters around 0701 hours on April 22, 2007, when firefighters noticed smoke in the air at Berrymeade Hills Court. They called dispatch to report the smoke and then investigated.
Battalion Chief Kevin Bartal said Engine 11 discovered a two-story single family dwelling at 1405 Berrymeade Hills Court with smoke and flames coming from the rear of the structure. Crews requested a full structural assignment.
机组人员进入了救援模式，因为在车道上看到车辆，但没有乘员的迹象。消防员强迫进入家中，发现楼上的父亲和女儿仍在睡着，没有意识到大火。消防员安全撤离了居民及其宠物。
After the primary search was completed, firefighters began an attack in the rear of the structure. RIT was established when additional resources arrived.
The deck of the home was on fire, a propane tank was leaking in the area of origin, and there was fire extension deep into the knee walls of the home.
After the deck fire was extinguished, the propane tank was moved to a safe area. Additional crews attempted to extinguish the fire in the knee walls.
火佤邦s brought under control quickly. Units were on scene for about two hours performing salvage and overhaul.
官员说，大火的起源似乎是店主在前一天晚上和离开的烤架。烟雾报警器尚未听起来很警报，因为大火已经在外部开始，然后进入墙壁。官员们说，大火将阻止居民的逃生道路。估计对住宅的损失为31,000美元，居民流离失所。
Lessons Learned
- 救援mode was initiated because of evidence of possible victims inside, setting safety as a priority. As soon as additional firefighters arrived on scene, RIT was immediately established.
- 机组人员始终保持警惕，并注意到空气中的烟雾，这导致了快速的火灾检测和安全的居民营救。
- Fire extension into knee walls is an extremely hazardous situation which can quickly turn deadly. During this operation, additional crew members were assigned to the knee walls. Knee-walls conceal fire well and allow it to communicate throughout the walls of the structure both vertically and horizontally. This type of fire produces a significant risk if not located quickly. Why? Knee walls allow fire to burn around the compartment in which the firefighters are working; a firefighter potentially could be engulfed in flames from the outside-in.
