Tuesday, August 14, 2012

RT. 295 Tractor Trailer vs. SUV

Foam line from Squad 13 extinguishes fuel fire
On the afternoon of August 9th A-group was dispatched for a tractor trailer vs. a car on Rt. 295 northbound between Warwick Rd. and Copley Ave. This sent Squad 13, Rescue 13, Battalion 13 along with Lawnside Squad 27-2, BLS 9 and BLS 1396. Squad 27-2 arrived to a tractor trailer on fire facing south in the northbound lanes into a SUV in the center lane.
Foam line advancement with Squad 272 on other handline
 Once they confirmed all occupants were out of the vehicles they stretched a 1 3/4" handline to start extinguishing the fire consuming both vehicles. Upon Squad 13 arriving in the southbound lanes they set up a foam line under the direction of Captain Houck. They proceeded to extinguish the fuel feed fire on the ground, the tires and the rubber bumpers in the guard rail.
Mop up after water tank emptied
Battalion 13 assumed 295 command from Squad 27-2's officer. Squad 27-2's officer handled getting a sustained water supply up to 295 from Barrington Engine 91 and a second engine out of 27-2. Rescue 13 arrived and helped hold up traffic on 295 southbound until NJ DOT arrived. They proceeded forward and cut an access hole in the trailer by the cab to check for any fire extension, they then forced the rear doors to the trailer to complete the investigation and check the cargo of coco beans.
Overhaul of rear tires that were on fire
 The companies extinguished the bulk of the fire with their tank water. The LDH lay was unable to be completed due to the traffic in the area and the exit ramp clogged with vehicle traffic. Its was decided since the bulk of the fire was extinguished to just send the other 2 engines up on the highway to dump their tanks into the engines already on location.
Aftermath of collision with SUV
Upon the exchange of water tanks the foam line was charged to complete the extinguishment and the other water line mopped up any hot spots. The state DOT was contacted for a sand truck for the fuel that was not consumed by the fire and Camden County OEM was notified to respond.
Final extinguishment with 15 gallons of foam used
 Neither patient required treatment, but while on the highway, the stopped traffic created a EMS call for a woman in labor stuck in traffic which sent BLS 1396 to investigate. The patient was found by state police and transport by a private ambulance that was also stuck in traffic to the hospital. All 3 southbound lanes were reopened and the scene was turned over to the State Police.
Start of accident ...75 yards of guard rail ran over