Winner of Spain Formula 1 race, may be related to the KERS energy system.

Shortly after winning today's Formula 1 race in Barcelona, Spain, a fire erupted in the Williams garage.

Sky Sports document the early moments, from Alpha side:

Extensive damage is caused as a fire breaks out at the back of the Williams team garage after they celebrated winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 13, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain.

Sixteen people were injured when a fire broke out in the Williams team garage at the Spanish F1 Grand Prix.

Click here to access Sky Sports pictures.

Statement from Williams:

"After today's Spanish Grand Prix a fire occurred in the team's garage which originated from the fuel area.

"Four team personnel were injured in the incident and subsequently taken to the medical center. Three are now receiving treatment at local hospitals for their injuries, while the fourth has been released. The team will monitor their condition and ensure they receive the best possible care.

"The team, the fire services and the police are working together to determine the root cause of the fire and an updated statement will be released in due course.

"The Williams F1 Team would like to thank all of the teams and the FIA for their support in today's incident."

BBC Sports report from Charlie side, including the speculation on the KERS energy management system:

Andrew Benson, BBC Sports Chief F1 writer, has more details here:  Spanish Grand Prix: Williams crew injured in pit fire.

Three members of the Williams team were taken to hospital, while four Caterham mechanics were treated at the track's medical unit. A Force India team member was also treated on the site after suffering smoke inhalation

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)

The acronym KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The device recovers the kinetic energy that is present in the waste heat created by the car’s braking process. It stores that energy and converts it into power that can be called upon to boost acceleration.

There are principally two types of system – battery (electrical) and flywheel (mechanical). Electrical systems use a motor-generator incorporated in the car’s transmission which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa. Once the energy has been harnessed, it is stored in a battery and released when required.

Mechanical systems capture braking energy and use it to turn a small flywheel which can spin at up to 80,000 rpm. When extra power is required, the flywheel is connected to the car’s rear wheels. In contrast to an electrical KERS, the mechanical energy doesn’t change state and is therefore more efficient.

Read more here:  KERS

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Remembering a near-miss with LAFD Light Force 35

The 1992 Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King verdict forever changed the perception that firefighters and paramedics were immune to violence during civil disorders.

This eight minute compilation of news video and LAFD radio traffic shows the chaos encountered by the crews.  Crews were "losing windshields" and encountering bottles, bricks and gunfire … with no police assistance available.

At 2:30 into the video is the alert by Light Force 35 that they have a firefighter shot … followed by other companies reporting gunfire.

Jordan was riding directly behind Miller as Truck Company 35 navigated through the smoke and mayhem of Western Avenue. He saw the handgun, then the flash. "Geez, they're shooting at us," Jordan recalled thinking.

Craning his neck, Jordan saw Miller slumped on the wheel. The captain pulled an emergency brake and the 55-foot-long vehicle lumbered to a stop.

Blood was squirting from Miller's neck. Jordan, a wiry firefighter who had worked at some of the city's busiest stations, had seen his share of gunshot wounds. This one wasn't good. "I thought he was going to die," he said. Another firefighter pressed his hand against Miller's neck to stem the bleeding as the crew loaded him into the back of the truck.

Jordan jumped behind the wheel and took off for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Robert L. Lopez (May 04, 2009) 'Miracle' firefighter shot during '92 LA riots back on job. Los Angeles Times

Near exsanguination results in stroke

Laying on the engine cover of the open cab Seagrave tiller truck, Miller, 33,had lost so much blood through his ripped carotid artery that he suffered a stroke.

Scott Harris (April 29, 1993) The Right Choice for Capt. Scott Miller : This 34-year-old Granada Hills family man, this grown-up boy-next-door . . . seems to understand what is expected of him. It has become a matter of duty. Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times also did a video on Miller in 2009:

20th Anniversary Observation:

John North (April 27. 2012) LA riots anniversary: firefighters recall dangers   KABC-TV, Channel 7.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

The things I learn at FDIC

Scott Nacheman is a Long Island volunteer firefighter who ended up as a engineer/Vice President at Thornton Tomasetti:

Scott Nacheman’s diverse professional experience includes the investigation and repair of existing buildings in addition to the restoration of contemporary and historic structures. He is involved in many facets of emergency response and structural stabilization efforts.

Scott Nacheman  (photo by Larry Shapiro)

Scott coordinates the firm’s Property Loss Consulting Practice within the Midwestern region. These services include response and condition assessment of damage caused by hurricanes, tornados, structural collapses, building envelope and curtain wall failures, fires, and a variety of common and complex property loss scenarios.

His proficiency in fire-safety design and post-incident investigations builds on his 15 years of experience as a firefighter, fire lieutenant and instructor in New York and Illinois. He serves as a Structures Specialist with Illinois Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force 1 as well as DHS/FEMA US&R IN-TF1 and serves on the DHS/FEMA IST incident management team. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.

more bio HERE

His presentation on Friday morning at FDIC was fantastic.  Some of my twitter notes:

• load path
• most new commercial structures have 2 to 3 different structural systems in place
• fiberglass framing
• light gauge steel framing
• nanomaterials
• self-consolidating concrete
• concrete formwork failure
• osb / eps sandwich … structural insulated panels. … ultra-airtight … mold degrade structure … high heat retention during fire
• modular construction … much smaller labor force …. less robust / stability than a frame system
• doubleskin facade … new balloon type structures … LEED friendly.
• Green roofs are much heavier … snow load? retrofit performance
• above ground MRI facilities / healthcare
• delayed finishing … incomplete construction with 2-4 year delay in completion … condition of components
• precast concrete … gravity & friction holding things together …. often overloaded from initial design

The codes are not keeping up with the built environment.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Five years ago today

Last night Dave Statter shared his experience about the 2007 line-of-duty death of Technician I Kyle Wilson in Prince Wiliam County. (Dave's article HERE). Dave is concerned that the Virginia Tech massacre overshadowed the tragedy at 15492 Marsh Overlook Drive.

The after-action analysis and discussions were painful, emotional and worthwhile. I closely followed the process and spoke to with many of the participants. They are my friends and colleagues.

My "bully pulpit" is a textbook that is used by many for their Fire Officer I and II training.

In Chapter 16, "Fire Attack" this is how the section on Smoke, Wind, Size and Fire Flow looks in the second edition (2010).

Let's start the Fire Department Instructor's Conference week with an in-station drill on one of these topics:

• Burning Type V residential structure behavior in high wind conditions
• Determining initial attack fire flow in high wind conditions
• Austere crew (thin staffed) fire attack procedures
• Why the NFPA 1710 single family dwelling does not match your first due (you can find an analysis starting on page 188 of the Prince William report.)

NIOSH LODD report

Fire departments should develop SOP’s for incidents with high-wind conditions including defensive attack if necessary. Weather can be considered as critically important when at the extreme, and relatively unimportant during normal conditions.

Wind has a strong effect on fire behavior which includes supplying oxygen, reducing fuel moisture, and exerting physical pressure to move the fire and heat. Wildland fire fighters are very familiar with these effects of wind on the rate at which fire spreads.

According to Dunn, “When the exterior wind velocity is in excess of 30 miles per hour, the chances of conflagration are great; however, against such forceful winds, the chances of successful advance of an initial hose line attack on a structure fire are diminished. The firefighters won’t be able to make forward hoseline progress because the flame and heat, under the wind’s additional force, will blow into the path of advancement.

Fire fighters should change their strategy when encountering high wind conditions. An SOP should be developed to include obtaining the wind speed and direction, and guidelines established for possible scenarios associated with the wind speed and the possible fuel available, similar to that in wildland fire fighting. When the interior attack line has little or no effect on the fire, the line should be withdrawn and a second hoseline should be advanced on the upwind side of the fire. This method may require the use of an aerial ladder or portable ladder, if safety permits.

Prince William County report  (385 pages)

The major factors in the line of duty death of Technician I Wilson were determined to be:
• The initial arriving fire suppression force size.
• The size up of fire development and spread.
• The impact of high winds on fire development and spread.
• The large structure size and lightweight construction and materials.
• The rapid intervention and firefighter rescue efforts.
• The incident control and management.

Thanks to Dave Statter for making an important observation.

Mike "FossilMedic" Ward

Abandoned Catskill Resort Complex

A BRUSH FIRE ON A WINDY DAY that was intentionally set despite a burn-ban raced through the former Tamarack Lodge summer resort in Ulster County, New York, Saturday.  The fire that began around 3 pm burned through the night into Sunday and has destroyed or damaged about 44 buildings including the Lodge clubhouse, pool house, and an assortment of outbuildings and rental cabins.

Times Herald-Record

The heavy winds and dry conditions drove the flames over 200 acres with flying embers and building parts setting spot fires all over the area.  Several hundred firefighters from 63 fire companies in four counties worked the fire and ran an extensive tanker shuttle.  Charles Mutz, the Ulster County Chief Fire Coordinator told YNN News, "We did lose multiple structures unfortunately, but really the issue we had was we could not control that fire. It was just too fast moving and large."

Times Herald-Record

The Lodge had been abandoned many years ago and the buildings condemned for occupation.  The property itself is owned by an unrecognized Indian tribe that calls itself Western Mohegans.  They have been occupying many of the bungalows and cabins on the land since they got control of it in 2001.  They have tried and failed to get federal recognition of their status and on March 9 of this year they filed for bankruptcy to stave off a foreclosure service by the sheriff.  The current tribal chief is interviewed in this video report:

Following the preliminary investigation, the sheriff has said that the fire was "set intentionally" and one or two people may be charged.  It will be decided later if the act was an arson or not.

The Times Herald-Record has the story and a video HERE.
YNN tv news has more HERE.

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No Deaths Reported So Far

THE NAVY F/A-18 JET FIGHTER that crashed into a Virginia Beach, Virginia, apartment complex Friday afternoon caused extensive damage to at least five buildings but, amazingly, there have been no deaths reported so far.  (See original Firegeezer report HERE.)

The plane miraculously landed in this courtyard, missing a direct hit on
any of the apartment buildings.  The burning fuel set the surrounding
buildings alight.  (U. S. Navy photo)

As of Saturday morning three residents are still unaccounted for, but they may not have been there at the time of the crash and the authorities currently believe it is probable that they are elsewhere.  By Friday night the rescue teams had completed secondary searches of 95% of the crash zone.
Update:  The 3 missing people have been located and the FRD is no longer searching for any survivors.

The plane fortuitously landed on its belly in the courtyard of the buildings, thus sparing the destructiveness of a direct hit.  The spraying, burning jet fuel set the surrounding buildings on fire but a rapid response by the Virginia Beach Fire & Rescue along with the Oceana air base crash units quickly contained the fires.

The early reports are saying that the 2-seater training plane experienced some sort of mechanical failure that caused leaking fuel to ignite while it was taking off from the nearby air station.  The two pilots were attempting to guide the plane over to the ocean and failing to get that far they waited until almost too late to eject.  Witnesses say that they were down to treetop level before the seat ejectors were deployed and their parachutes only had time to open partially before they hit the ground.  Both pilots are going to recover ok with minimal injuries.  One of them has been admitted to the hospital while the other has been released.  About seven civilians suffered from either minor injuries or, in most cases, smoke inhalation.
Update:  Both pilots have been released from the hospital.

For the latest detailed updates, read the following sources:
CNN News 
NY Daily News
WAVY-TV Norfolk

WAVY-TV has filed this updated video report on Saturday morning:

No deaths in Navy F/A-18D crash: wavy.com

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Early Information – Still Sketchy

Continuous updates.  Keep scrolling:
Early videos now posted.

A NAVY FIGHTER JET FROM OCEANA Naval Air Station has gone down in Virginia Beach, Virginia, shortly after 12 noon Eastern.  It was an F/A-18 Hornet, a 2-seater training plane.  Early reports say that the two pilots were able to eject before the crash.

UPDATE:  CNN is live-streaming from the scene HERE.

photo by Kara Mitchell / WTKR-TV

It has just been confirmed that the plane has partially struck an apartment building and the fire department is battling a 2-alarm fire at the site.

WTKR-TV

The plane had just taken off from the airfield at 12:05 when it went down.

WAVY-TV / Mayo

WAVY-TV / Randolph

The effect of the crash has involved at least four apartment buildings, perhaps five.

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WAVY-TV is now live-streaming HERE.

Both pilots have been transported for non-life threatening injuries.

UPDATE, SATURDAY MORNING – Read the latest updated report on Firegeezer HERE.

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Direct Hit

THE SPATE OF DESTRUCTIVE TORNADOES that swept through Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana Friday afternoon struck a firehouse in northern Kentucky near the Ohio River in the town of Milton, Trimble County.

Milton Station 2 photos from MFRD website

The twister came through around 3 pm and all Trimble County firefighters were out on watch and prepared for the storms that were coming.  In Milton all of the department's volunteers were at the main fire station monitoring the storm when one of the tornadoes struck Fire Station #2, leveling the building.  Fortunately there were no members at the firehouse that was struck  Chief Long reports that there was one member inside at the time, sheltering in the area that was left standing.  At least one of their units was in the building at the time.

Damaged pumper parked in what used to be an engine bay.
(Courier-Journal photo)

Radioman911 has the Trimble County radio traffic on this 43-minute recording that begins just as the twisters are being sighted by the emergency personnel and being reported in.  Click on the Play button to listen to the broadcast. 

 
Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv

One of the firefighters witnesses the destruction of Fire Station #2 at the 5:25 mark of the tape.  Continue listening.

Members begin salvaging their equipment soon after the strike.
(Louisville Courier-Journal)

Milton Fire and Rescue Department WEBSITE.

Update:  Radioman911 has posted additional radio traffic from the southern Indiana dispatch.  An entire town, Marysville, Indiana, was destroyed.

 
Watch live video from Radioman 911 on Justin.tv

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Expected to Burn For at Least Two More Days

A LARGE, "FORTRESS-LIKE" WAREHOUSE IN ELIZABETH, New Jersey, has been burning since Wednesday, confounding the FD's attempts to get to the seat of the blaze.

Star-Ledger photo

The large complex is riddled with tunnels, compartmentalization and holes throughout the building making it impractical for FF's to find their way through the maze.  It is believed to have begun on Wednesday afternoon when someone set a junk car on fire inside the building.  It has since spread througout the entire structure and started into a second building where the FD was able to contain it.

The Star-Ledger reports this morning:

A sprawling warehouse fire in Elizabeth that has spewed thick black smoke across northern New Jersey for two days could burn through Christmas, and the structure may suffer several "catastrophic collapses" before the blaze is extinguished, officials said.

The fire swallowed the center section of the largely vacant facility around 6 p.m. today, according to city Deputy Fire Chief Lathey Wirkus. Fire officials say flames from the eight-alarm blaze are so intense they will have to let more portions collapse before they can launch another attack.

The fire has burned for two days as more than 250 firefighters from 35 fire agencies struggled to attack the flames. One firefighter suffered minor injuries Thursday afternoon, Wirkus said.

Elizabeth Fire Chief Tom McNamara said the maze-like design of the building is making it nearly impossible for firefighters to approach the base of the blaze, while the choking smoke and intense flames are stalling prolonged operations inside the structure.

The Star-Ledger also posted this video report on the fire that includes comments by the Elizabeth fire chief and the mayor:

The century-old building was first used as an automobile and airplane assembly plant and was more recently a large bakery that produced Girl Scout cookies until ten years ago.  Since then it has been subdivided and used by several occupants including a tire wholesaler who has 1,200 tires stored inside.  Another area is stacked with plywood panels.

Still Out of Control

Update:  Fire marked under control at 3 pm Pacific.
Update 2:  Fire knocked down 4:30 pm Pacific.  Scroll down for latest info.

A LARGE, WIND-WHIPPED FIRE IN A San Francisco, California, apartment building is burning out of control at the time of this posting.

KGO-TV

The fire began just before noon Pacific time in a large Victorian home and soon spread into an apartment building next to it.  As fire units were arriving it spread rapidly to a second apartment building and was soon through the roof.  The response has been upgraded to 5 alarms.

At last update, no injuries have been reported yet.  There is no further information available while the fire is still working.  Check back for updates later.

This raw video from KGO-TV picks up just before the firefighters were ordered off the roof of the 2nd building:

KGO-TV also is running a live-stream video coverage HERE.

KPIX-TV Ch. 5 has filed this video report from their helicopter:

KGO-TV also has posted a 34-image photo gallery HERE.

Update, 4:30 pm Pacific:
The fire is under control and knocked down now.  There were 140 firefighters on the scene at one point and this was the city's first 5-alarm fire in six years.

There were two minor injuries reported, one for a firefighter with neck burns and the other for a civilian.

There is still no indication of what started the fire.  It began at the rear of a 4-story Victorian and spread to two other buildings, the large apartment block and a charter school that was closed for the Christmas break.

KGO-TV photos

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