Tanker Fire on W. Ridge Rd. (Rochester)- April 2003
Mutual Aid Response with the Rochester FD
(click on thumbnails for full-size picture and description)
|
Tanker Fire on W. Ridge Rd. (Rochester)- April 2003 Mutual Aid Response with the Rochester FD (click on thumbnails for full-size picture and description) |
| On
April 29, 2003, Rescue 5 was requested by the City of Rochester FD to
respond to the scene of a gasoline tanker explosion. The crash happened
in the middle of the night in the area where 3 of the busiest roads in
Rochester intersect. The tanker truck was travelling Eastbound on W. Ridge
Rd. when it rolled over while negotiating a curve. The trailer in turn
took down a light pole, which provided the spark to light several thousand
gallons of gasoline ablaze. First arriving crews from the RFD were confronted
with multiple structure fires and a river of fire, as the burning gasoline
was making it's way down the street. The Airport FD was requested along
with the Kodak Park FD for the use of their foam. The incident peaked at 5 alarms, with several area Fire Departments responding to the scene. At least 4 houses were heavily damaged by fire, with 1 of those being completely destroyed and later demolished, while another 2 dozen homes received damages that included broken windows and melted siding. As a result of the gasoline covering it, 1 of the homes was burning so intensely that the roof turret on Rescue 5 had to be used in order to knock the fire down and eventually extinguish it. An elderly female was killed when she reportedly returned to her home. |
