Lackawanna,NY Fire & Explosions At Former Steel Plant 11/9/16

Original fire smoke could be seen from Niagara Falls, almost 30 miles away.

The fire continues to burn 48 hours later.
Wind shift and 40 MPH gusts caused fire crews to have to back out during the night.
Operations picking up again this morning.
City of Lackawanna still under voluntary Evacuation.

I live less than 5 miles from this fire. At points we could smell the burning material.

When I get a rundown of units from Buffalo, Lackawanna and Volunteer units, I will try to print it here.
 
Museborn, thanks for the firsthand update.  You will be interested to see the equipment responsive you can get it.

Stay safe!
 
Hour 50+

Buffalo and Lackawanna Fire Depts still calling an active Fire scene.

Starting demolition of some of the controlled areas to get to many, many hot spots.

Complex is over 6 square city blocks, so there is a lot of debris to overhaul.

Air particulate measures by the EPA and DEC have been low today, but wind off Lake Erie is a huge problem.
 
You Tube complilation video from Francesca Moore shows how bad and how difficult the Bethlehem Steel fire was on Wednesday morning.

https://youtu.be/yUvtOY8cvJk
 
Units from Buffalo Fire that responded (Lackawanna Fire Dispatch audio was unavailable):

@0750:  E-1, E-25, L-10, Battalion 46.

L-15 was following the plume of smoke and also went on scene, L-10 was picked up.

Division Chief 56 responded right after the report from L-15.

56 requested E-3 and HazMat-1.  They were dispatched at 0757.

F-16, F-40 and BC-42 responded next.

Command Post was set up at Route 5 Gate 6 of the old Bethlehem Steel Plant.  DC-56 reported large 700X400 4-story, fully involved, full of combustibles.

DC-56 reported water problems and lack of a hydrant map for the location.

Comm-1, E-33 and MC-1 requested by DC-56.

F-9 next requested by DC-56.

F-20 next requested to respond with EMS Particle Masks.

B-42 reported Plastics manufacturing in the collapse zone (major roof and wall collapse); then rolled steel; then the center of complex was a large amount of lubricants, then a pallet manufacturer - pallets stacked very high all the way down Route 5.  Also multiple propane and diesel fuel tanks around the facility.

Woodlawn VFD E-2 supplying Buffalo L-10.

Also volunteer fire units from Hamburg, Eden, Blasdell, Orchard Park and West Seneca were responding.

DC-56 started evacuating businesses in the smoke plume direction.  Schools in were also either evacuated or told to shelter in place.

Air monitors put in place by HM-1.  EPA and DEC units responding.

Buffalo R-1 was dispatched at 0938.

Unfortunately I lost the audio after that point.
 
Thanks for the rundown, quick question regarding units however.  What are units that are designated "F" ?
 
60+ Hours

Fire is still burning under the rubble.  Demolition was halted due to darkness and wind increasing. Ladder units still operating.

WIVB-TV News4 showing some interesting drone video from above the site. (wivb.com)

Bulldog - "F" units in Buffalo are upper level and administrative Department units like Fire Marshals, Deputies and Commissioners.  I don't have a specific list, sorry.  I do know that the Marshals were called very early, DC-56 requested Marshals within the first hour of the fire.
 
Bulldog said:
Thanks for the rundown, quick question regarding units however.  What are units that are designated "F" ?

From Radio Reference:

C-1 FIRE COMMISSIONER
B-43 3RD BATTALION CHIEF
B-44 4TH BATTALION CHIEF
B-46 6TH BATTALION CHIEF
B-47 7TH BATTALION CHIEF
B-51, B-52, B-53 DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
B-56 DIVISION CHIEF
F-1 FIRE PREVENTION CHIEF
F-1 FIRE INSPECTORS
F-6 SUPPLY TRUCK
F-7 OXYGEN TRUCK
F-8 MOBILE AIR TRUCK
F-10, F-11, F-12 FIRE MARSHALS
F-13 ATF LIASON
F-15 DISTRICT ATTORNEY
F-16 HAZ MAT OFFICER
F-17 SAFETY OFFICER
F-18 MEDICAL OFFICER
F-19 PLANNING OFFICER
F-20, F-21, F-22 TRAINING OFFICERS
F-48 SUPT OF FIRE APPARATUS
F-59 CHIEF OF TRAINING
F-61 CHIEF OF COMMUNICATIONS
F-65 FUEL TRUCK
F-72, F-74, F-75 CHAPLAINS
F-76 SALVATION ARMY CANTEEN
 
72 Hours in:

Demolition scheduled to continue this morning.  Pockets of fire still burning under the massive rubble.

Live TV news video shows smoke still coming from the site and Buffalo and Lackawanna units still on the scene.

According to Lackawanna mayor, Route 5 past the site is scheduled to reopen later this weekend.

Air levels still considered safe, but a concern is particulates floating in the air.

 
Route 5 reopened in both directions as of 5 PM this evening - 82 hours after this first fire dispatch.

Demolition has halted for this evening.  Restart again tomorrow morning.

Still some hot spots.
 
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