Shortly after shift change, we were dispatched to a working fire at a local aluminum manufacturing plant. The fire was a few miles from our station. This is what we saw shortly after we arrived. The fire was called in by the sheriff, whose office is across the street. The "fire brigade" at the plant had been attempting to put out the fire for 30 minutes prior to the sheriff notifying the dispatchers. They used a total of 13-20lb ABC extinguishers and a wheeled extinguisher prior to our arrival.
The building was not sprinkled (built prior to codes being enacted); however, the paint room was sprinkled. The sprinklers proved to be very ineffective on this fire. Ended up laying a 3" into the building and coming off it due to the length of the fire from the nearest pumper, etc.
First shot courtesy of the Tate Record
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This was taken shortly after we had made entry and were making a little headway on the fire: (Photo courtesy of Tate Record)
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Thankfully, the fire was in a paint area with the exhaust stacks doing most of our ventilation for us. The fire was adjacent to their blast room where a large amount of Xylene was stored and numerous other flammable liquids.
I have some more short videos and other photos that I don't have access to at the moment, but will upload as soon as I can.
The building was not sprinkled (built prior to codes being enacted); however, the paint room was sprinkled. The sprinklers proved to be very ineffective on this fire. Ended up laying a 3" into the building and coming off it due to the length of the fire from the nearest pumper, etc.
First shot courtesy of the Tate Record
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://s570.photobucket.com/user/neal80/media/alum%20fire%201_zps0jhgqpp8.jpg.html"></a>
This was taken shortly after we had made entry and were making a little headway on the fire: (Photo courtesy of Tate Record)
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://s570.photobucket.com/user/neal80/media/alum%20fire%202_zpswitecrsi.jpg.html"></a>
Thankfully, the fire was in a paint area with the exhaust stacks doing most of our ventilation for us. The fire was adjacent to their blast room where a large amount of Xylene was stored and numerous other flammable liquids.
I have some more short videos and other photos that I don't have access to at the moment, but will upload as soon as I can.