Lockport Fire Responds to cut natural gas main by apartment complex
Photo by Stephen M WallaceThe contractor is on the cell phone as his machine sits by the hole that cut the natural gas line feet away from the apartment building
Photo by Stephen M WallaceFirst in Engine provides protection for the pump operator
Photo by Stephen M WallaceTraining Captain Loucks does an accountability check and safety procedure over view
Photo by Stephen M WallaceFire Fighter Corey Webster waisted no time heading into the danger zone of natural gas to do what ever he could to help
Photo by Stephen M WallaceLockport Fire Fighters and Shift Captain enter the Apartments to make sure everyone got out safely
Photo by Stephen M WallaceCrews grabbed equipment to ventilate the apartment building
Photo by Stephen M WallaceAst Chief Scapelliti set up in the safe zone to have an oversight of the scene
Photo by Stephen M WallaceNYSEG was on scene within minutes and firefighters worked with them to get the situation in hand quickly
Lockport Fire responded all units to 499 Davison Road after receiving a dispatch by the Niagara County Emergency dispatch for a natural gas line cut. A private contractor was using a excavator when he hit a natural gas line releasing the full pressure of natural gas into the air and apartment complex just a few feet away. The first engine in was positioned in the hot zone at an angled to protect the pump operator in case of the worse scenario. Training Captain Loucks arrived and immediately set up an accountability operation and proceeded to the hot zone, Ladder 9 rolled in and blocked the road at the North end where the hot and cold zone meant. Firefighter Corey Webster made his way from, the ladder to the hot zone to help in evacuation and any other assigned duties. NYSEG responded right away, they commandeer the private contractors excavator to dig the ground up to get to the shit off as the roar of the high pressure natural gas was all around the crews. Lockport firefighters entered the effected apartment building to evacuate residence. Assistant Chief Scapelliti set up his over view command in the safe zone next to Ladder 9 keeping in direct contact with the shift Captain. Realizing there is always the potential for a disaster situation. The order was given, non active hot zone personnel were to move back to the safe zone. crews had a hand line pulled and ready in case it was needed. After about 20 minuets, NYSEG was able to scrape the dirt away and shut down the gas. The City fire department vented the apartments, took readings and with the ok of Assistant Chief Scapelliti and NYSEG, the residence were allowed in. This was a scene professionally handled from start to finish, natural gas is never a routine call and these fire professionals know that,
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