Multiple Attics Need Multiple Holes

 

As we have pointed out so many times on this site in the past, some buildings are just going to be a challenge. Captain Adam Kibler from Houston Engine 28 sent in these pictures of one of those challenging jobs. The fire building was a wood frame two story condominium with multiple roof lines. The multiple roof lines presented the crews with a challenge since they created a situation with multiple attics and multiple ceiling levels inside. In this case, the fire started in the first floor garage and quick spread through the walls into the multiple attics and various void spaces. The living room had 15+ foot tall ceilings which allowed for clear cool conditions inside despite the advancing fire. These tall ceiling also required the use of attic ladders and long pike poles on the inside. Ladder 51 made the roof and cut various vent holes shown below.

An aggressive interior attack, paired with the required roof vent allowed the Houston crews to keep this fire contained to the end units of the building. If it wasn't for the vent (and the aggressive attack) the outcome would have be totally different.

Remember, vent early, vent often!