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In Deadly Bronx Blaze, Responders Battled Fire and Ice In Deadly Bronx Blaze, Responders Battled Fire and Ice
(about 7 hours later)
The frozen hydrant in front of the burning building. The icy steps tripping up firefighters as they carried people out. The frigid front and rear fire escapes cramped with dozens of people clambering to safety.The frozen hydrant in front of the burning building. The icy steps tripping up firefighters as they carried people out. The frigid front and rear fire escapes cramped with dozens of people clambering to safety.
A brutal chill Thursday night made battling a fast-moving fire that killed 12 people in the Bronx all the more difficult for emergency responders. Fighting fires is always a challenge, fire officials said, but low temperatures can be especially problematic, leading to frozen equipment, firefighter fatigue and unseen hazards.A brutal chill Thursday night made battling a fast-moving fire that killed 12 people in the Bronx all the more difficult for emergency responders. Fighting fires is always a challenge, fire officials said, but low temperatures can be especially problematic, leading to frozen equipment, firefighter fatigue and unseen hazards.
The Fire Department responded to the fire, at 2363 Prospect Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood, three minutes after the first emergency call was made Thursday night. Firefighters rushed to a hydrant located directly in front of the building, but it was frozen, said Lt. Mickey Conboy, a 32-year veteran who was on the scene. After sending a signal that they had no water, they rushed to connect to a working hydrant up the block, while a second ladder company ran into the building.The Fire Department responded to the fire, at 2363 Prospect Avenue in the Belmont neighborhood, three minutes after the first emergency call was made Thursday night. Firefighters rushed to a hydrant located directly in front of the building, but it was frozen, said Lt. Mickey Conboy, a 32-year veteran who was on the scene. After sending a signal that they had no water, they rushed to connect to a working hydrant up the block, while a second ladder company ran into the building.
Temperatures had fallen into the teens after several days of below-freezing weather, and firefighters were wearing their normal thermal gloves to protect them from the heat, although it doubled for the cold, Lieutenant Conboy said.Temperatures had fallen into the teens after several days of below-freezing weather, and firefighters were wearing their normal thermal gloves to protect them from the heat, although it doubled for the cold, Lieutenant Conboy said.
Still, the gloves were of little use inside the building. The railings were so hot from the fire they could not hold on, and the marble stairs cracked from the heat. Soon, he said, the cold produced a different effect: The stairways iced over, and firefighters began slipping and falling.Still, the gloves were of little use inside the building. The railings were so hot from the fire they could not hold on, and the marble stairs cracked from the heat. Soon, he said, the cold produced a different effect: The stairways iced over, and firefighters began slipping and falling.
“You can imagine how difficult it was to carry unconscious people down a flight of stairs that was ice-covered,” Lieutenant Conboy said. “It was like ice-skating down a waterfall. That slows us down. Hooking up to the water slows us down, slipping on the water in the street — everything slows down because of the cold.”“You can imagine how difficult it was to carry unconscious people down a flight of stairs that was ice-covered,” Lieutenant Conboy said. “It was like ice-skating down a waterfall. That slows us down. Hooking up to the water slows us down, slipping on the water in the street — everything slows down because of the cold.”
The fire commissioner, Daniel A. Nigro, said six firefighters sustained sprains or strains, and an emergency medical technician slipped on ice and broke his ribs. In an interview Friday, Mr. Nigro said the cold weather certainly presented “a struggle,” but insisted that the frozen hydrant had not affected responders’ efforts to fight the blaze.The fire commissioner, Daniel A. Nigro, said six firefighters sustained sprains or strains, and an emergency medical technician slipped on ice and broke his ribs. In an interview Friday, Mr. Nigro said the cold weather certainly presented “a struggle,” but insisted that the frozen hydrant had not affected responders’ efforts to fight the blaze.
Mr. Nigro said the city’s fire engines are equipped with 500 gallons of water that can be used while waiting to connect to a hydrant, though it is not enough water to combat a blaze.Mr. Nigro said the city’s fire engines are equipped with 500 gallons of water that can be used while waiting to connect to a hydrant, though it is not enough water to combat a blaze.
After Thursday, 71 people have died in fires in New York City this year, up from 48 last year. Twenty-four of those have come in December alone — the deadliest month in 10 years, Mr. Nigro said.After Thursday, 71 people have died in fires in New York City this year, up from 48 last year. Twenty-four of those have come in December alone — the deadliest month in 10 years, Mr. Nigro said.
Fire officials have said that there are typically more fires during the winter months, when people use space heaters to keep warm or leave lit candles unattended.Fire officials have said that there are typically more fires during the winter months, when people use space heaters to keep warm or leave lit candles unattended.
Gerardo Fitzgerald, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, a union representing city firefighters, said cold weather made fighting fires considerably harder. Gerard Fitzgerald, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, a union representing city firefighters, said cold weather made fighting fires considerably harder.
“The ice builds up on our tools, our ladders, which becomes a safety problem,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “And inside the building it can become like an ice-skating rink. It adds a whole bunch of different obstacles for us to fight the fire and to make rescues.”“The ice builds up on our tools, our ladders, which becomes a safety problem,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “And inside the building it can become like an ice-skating rink. It adds a whole bunch of different obstacles for us to fight the fire and to make rescues.”
Fire officials said there were also instances when ladders froze and were unable to extend.Fire officials said there were also instances when ladders froze and were unable to extend.
Emergency responders in other cities have encountered similar issues during frigid winter months. When a three-alarm fire erupted inside a building in East Boston over the weekend, firefighters there encountered a frozen hydrant, which slowed their ability to combat the blaze. Everyone in the building survived, though several firefighters were injured after falling on ice.Emergency responders in other cities have encountered similar issues during frigid winter months. When a three-alarm fire erupted inside a building in East Boston over the weekend, firefighters there encountered a frozen hydrant, which slowed their ability to combat the blaze. Everyone in the building survived, though several firefighters were injured after falling on ice.
“The challenges are immense,” said Joseph E. Finn, the Boston fire commissioner. “The potential for frozen hydrants can hamper our ability to get water on the fires quickly.”“The challenges are immense,” said Joseph E. Finn, the Boston fire commissioner. “The potential for frozen hydrants can hamper our ability to get water on the fires quickly.”
Mr. Finn said frozen hydrants used to be a common problem in the city, but in recent years efforts were stepped up to check and maintain them. During periods of heavy snowfall, firefighters dig out hydrants to make sure they are available.Mr. Finn said frozen hydrants used to be a common problem in the city, but in recent years efforts were stepped up to check and maintain them. During periods of heavy snowfall, firefighters dig out hydrants to make sure they are available.
Similarly, in Toronto, where temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits this week, Chief Matthew Pegg said his firefighters are trained to fight fires in extremely cold conditions. Fire vehicles are also equipped with onboard heating systems and pump heaters, he said. Mr. Pegg said hoses are never turned off, so as to prevent the water from freezing.Similarly, in Toronto, where temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits this week, Chief Matthew Pegg said his firefighters are trained to fight fires in extremely cold conditions. Fire vehicles are also equipped with onboard heating systems and pump heaters, he said. Mr. Pegg said hoses are never turned off, so as to prevent the water from freezing.
Mr. Pegg said he also worked closely with the Toronto Transit Commission to make sure there are buses nearby to keep displaced residents warm.Mr. Pegg said he also worked closely with the Toronto Transit Commission to make sure there are buses nearby to keep displaced residents warm.
But, Mr. Pegg said, in spite of preparation, challenges persist. Last year this time, he said, there were several major fires in mansions, and efforts to battle them were complicated by heavy snowfall.But, Mr. Pegg said, in spite of preparation, challenges persist. Last year this time, he said, there were several major fires in mansions, and efforts to battle them were complicated by heavy snowfall.
“The road conditions were difficult and more dangerous,” he said. “It takes longer to respond.”“The road conditions were difficult and more dangerous,” he said. “It takes longer to respond.”
When a hydrant is shut off, leakage can occur in the valve and, over a period of months, water can leak into the pipe and freeze, said Glenn Corbett, an associate professor in the department of security, fire, and emergency management at John Jay College.When a hydrant is shut off, leakage can occur in the valve and, over a period of months, water can leak into the pipe and freeze, said Glenn Corbett, an associate professor in the department of security, fire, and emergency management at John Jay College.
“Time is of the essence in a fire,” he said. “We’re talking about minutes here, not an hour. A frozen hydrant can really mess things up.”“Time is of the essence in a fire,” he said. “We’re talking about minutes here, not an hour. A frozen hydrant can really mess things up.”
But James Long, a spokesman for Fire Department, said the delay in the Bronx was only “momentary.”But James Long, a spokesman for Fire Department, said the delay in the Bronx was only “momentary.”
Firefighter supervisors also have to carefully manage how long a firefighter is working in the cold, said Greg Cade, director of government affairs with the National Fire Protection Association.Firefighter supervisors also have to carefully manage how long a firefighter is working in the cold, said Greg Cade, director of government affairs with the National Fire Protection Association.
“You really have to pay attention to the crews and rotate them on a more frequent basis because of potential issues with hypothermia,” he said. “It is a miserable time.”“You really have to pay attention to the crews and rotate them on a more frequent basis because of potential issues with hypothermia,” he said. “It is a miserable time.”