Structure Fire

Vellines Lane

On March 2nd, Station 10 was dispatched at 7:23 am to a structure fire at 23261 Vellines Ln. Ch-10, C-10, Q-10, E-10, T-10, R-10,Sq-10, Z-10 and Z-11 responded. Ch-10 (Chief Acree) requested an additional tanker from Suffolk Station 9 (Chuckatuck) Station 50 (Smithfield) were also dispatched. E-53 and Tr-51 responded. Q-10 and Ch-10 arrived to find an ordinary commercial structure approx. 200’X400’ with heavy fire showing from the AD side with approx. 25% involvement. Ch-10 assumed command and moved units to a tactical frequency. Dominion Power was contacted to secure power to both the building and the scene. Amerigas was contacted to remove a 250 gallon propane tank from the C side of the structure. This structure contained 2 businesses, a cabinet shop and a wood processing business.  Both of these businesses contained flammable liquids used for finishing and refinishing of wood.  There was a large amount of wood products. There was also bulk storage of both pressurizes oxygen cylinders and acetylene and LPG powered forklifts in the structure.  There was a heavy wooded area on the B (west) side of the building with very low humidity that made the embers from the fire a major concern. Q-10 laid in a 200’ 5” supply from the end of the second entrance to the AD corner of the structure where Q-10 took up a position for an offensive attack. Fire attack was initiated with 2- 1.75” pre-connects and a 3” blitz fire positioned on side A.  Q-10’s aerial was placed in position for master stream operations. T-10 arrived at the second entrance, connected to Q-10’s supply line and started a supply. Additional tankers were requested due to the lack of hydrants in the area, and the required fire flow for this building. E-53, Tr-51 were positioned on the AB corner located at the end of the first entrance. Tankers 30 and 32 and Driver T-10 were requested. E-10 set up at the first entrance, as a nurse tanker to supply E-53 and Truck -51. T-30 and T-32 joined T-9 in the water shuttle. Within 30 minutes of arrival units went to a defensive master stream operation due to signs of collapse on the AD corner. T-20 and T-40 were requested and joined the shuttle to the nearest hydrant that was approximately 3 miles away. Tr-51 and E-53 attacked the fire on the AB corner with a combined water flow approx.  1500 gal/min. Q-10 went to both aerial and monitor operations flowing approx. 1500gal/min. This water flow was maintained for over 5 hours. Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad (Station 60) provided rehab for the incident. There were no injuries.  The estimated loss was in excess of $1,000,000. The building and contents were not insured.

Units on scene.Ch-10,C-10,Z-10,Z-11,Q-10,E-10,R-10,Sq-10, T-10,T-20,T-30,E-32,E-31,T-40, E-52,E-53,Tr-51,C-50, Z-60, M-63,Driver T-10 Chuckatuck T-9.

Units filling in E-31, Suffolk E-5