Charlotte Fire Department

On January 29^th, 2010 at 1:11 am (6) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (2) Engine Companies, (1) Ladder Company, (1) Heavy Rescue, (1) Battalion Chief, and (1) Fire Investigator, were called to service for a report of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of South Tryon Street and Westinghouse Boulevard. Firefighters from nearby Station 26 arrived at South Tryon Street and Nevada Boulevard at 1:13 am and found a Ford Explorer SUV with heavy flames showing from the entire engine compartment and a portion of the passenger compartment.

Engine 26 established Command and initiated both a fire attack and passenger search utilizing a 1 ¾ “ hoseline and water carried on the fire truck since the nearby fire hydrant had been sheared off at its base. During their search in heavy fire and smoke conditions, a lone male occupant was located in the driver’s area. After further assessment it was discovered that the driver was trapped in the vehicle by the dashboard and the crushed roof. The SUV struck a fire hydrant, a power pole, traveled approximately 150’, before landing and then rotating on its side. Ladder 26 arrived on scene shortly after Engine 26 and continued rescue efforts utilizing hydraulic rescue tools while members from Engine 26 provided fire protection in the event of a flash fire.

Upon the arrival of Battalion 5 and Rescue 10, command was transferred and the rescue effort was supplemented with the crew and tools of Rescue 10. Engine 37 was dispatched and given the assignment of establishing a landing zone (LZ) for MedCenter Air.

(18) Firefighters were needed to affect the rescue of the survivor who was quickly placed in MEDIC’s care, and moved to the LZ via a ground unit. The survivor was flown to Carolinas Medical Center-Main with life-threatening injuries and subsequently transported by air to the burn center in Chapel Hill.

Submitted by:

Mark Basnight | Public Information Officer

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