McKees Rocks, PA – On Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at approximately 6:18 p.m. Allegheny 9-1-1 received reports of a shed on fire in the rear of 821 Gray Avenue, which is reportedly close to the structure. The following units were dispatched on the initial assignment; McKees Rocks (Station 189), Northwest EMS (Station 191) and McKees Rocks police. Multiple calls began to flood the 9-1-1 center reporting that the structure was also involved.

EMS and police officers arrived on the scene within a couple of minutes and reported heavy black smoke showing from 821 and 823 Gray Avenue. Upon hearing the update, 189 Chief requested that Stowe Township companies be dispatched for mutual aid. Fleming Park (Station 275 R.I.T.), West Park (Station 276) and Presston (Station 277) were dispatched on the 2nd alarm assignment.

Chief 189 arrived on the scene and reported several 2 ½ story wood frame units heavily involved, with multiple exposure problems. Chief 189 advised it would be an initial defensive attack only. 189 Engine 1 laid a supply line from the hydrant and immediately set up for deck gun operations on side “A”. Crews stretched attack lines to protect the exposures, from the fast moving flames and the radiant heat. 276 Engine laid a supply line from the opposite end of Gray Avenue to the front of the involved structures and set up deck gun operations.

Engine 277 proceeded to side “C” of the involved structures and initiated a defensive attack. 189 Truck was set up for aerial master stream operations in front of the structures. Additional crews advanced additional attack lines and assisted with fire suppression efforts, as well as exposure protection. Command requested that Kennedy Township (Station 181) be dispatched for additional manpower at approximately 6:35 p.m. Command requested Ben Avon (Station 109) and Emsworth (Station 148) for additional R.I.T. support at approximately 6:44 p.m.

Crews had the bulk of the heavy fire knocked down within 45 minutes. With the bulk of the heavy fire darkened, crews were able to advance lines into the exposures and darken the remaining fire. Command placed the fire under control at approximately 7:50 p.m. Crews remained on the scene for an extended period of time, performing extensive overhaul operations and dousing hot spots.

Salvation Army personnel were on scene with their mobile canteen unit, providing food and hot and cold drinks to the emergency personnel. American Red Cross personnel were on the scene assisting the dozen or so displaced occupants, by providing them with food, clothing and temporary housing. Northwest EMS transported one female to Allegheny General Hospital, where she was treated for breathing related problems.

The Allegheny County Fire Marshal was called to the scene to investigate the fire, which rapidly spread through several units of the Meyers Ridge public housing complex, completely destroying at least two townhouse units and damaging as many as seven others. The rapid spread of the fire was attributed to common walls and roof of the units and the lack of fire stops. The radiant heat was so intense that it melted the siding on townhouses across the street from the involved structures. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Despite what the residents of the Meyers Ridge complex think or say, there was no delay in the dispatch of the call and no delay in the fire department’s response time. As Fire Chief Radoycis stated, “It takes time to get the trucks to the scene and to get set up to put water on the fire”. With what they faced when they arrived on the scene, the firefighters did a very good job at preventing the fire from spreading even further through the complex, thus minimizing further damage. Kudos to all of the firefighters involved for a job well done.