Structural Collapse at Dwelling Fire Results in Two Firefighter Fatalities - (Stockton, California - February 6, 1997) » Second Floor Collapses and Subsequent Rescue

At 4:37 a.m., as the E6 Captain was stepping over the threshold from the kitchen into the addition, the second floor addition collapsed with a loud crack and rumble. The E6 Captain was trapped under the debris, along with the E9 firefighter and the E6 firefighter who were advancing the attack line, several feet inside the addition at the rear of the house. The two T4 crew members who were operating the back-up line were pushed back into the kitchen area by the falling debris and narrowly escaped being trapped.

Battalion 1 observed the collapse from his position and immediately radioed to Incident Command to request a personnel accountability check. Engine 4 and Support 2, operating outside the structure, also both reported a structural collapse at the rear. T4’s Captain stepped just outside the front door and radioed Command, advising of a wall and ceiling collapse with firefighters trapped. Less than a minute later, he reported that two firefighters were trapped and that airbags might be needed to rescue them.

E11’s Captain then reported that four or five firefighters were working to free trapped personnel, who were pinned under a 20 foot wall section. He estimated that the debris weighed several hundred pounds. He also requested a back-up line through the front door. The captains of Truck 2, Truck 4 and Engine 11 began to direct rescue operations inside the structure.

Battalion 1 reported that they had a back-up line coming in from the rear. The crew of Engine 2 extended their 2-1/2 inch line with 1-3/4 inch hose and advanced the line over the perimeter wall to knock down the fire in the collapsed section. No flames were observed around the trapped firefighter, but the area was wet down to prevent ignition.

Three chief officers, who had responded from their homes on the second alarm, had just reported to the command post when the collapse occurred. The Deputy Chief assumed command of the incident, reassigning Battalion 2 as the Operations Chief. A division chief was assigned as Safety Officer and a battalion chief was assigned as the Rescue Group Supervisor. A staff firefighter, who had also responded on the second alarm, was assigned to perform a face-to-face accountability check of the units on the scene.

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