Head-on Crash on Third Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire
June 29 – One person was injured when two cars collided head-on over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Wednesday night.
About 8:30, Minneapolis Police, Fire and Hennepin EMS crews were called to the Third Avenue Bridge for a personal injury accident.
Engine 1 arrived to find two cars in the eastbound lanes of the bridge, about midspan. One occupant was still in the vehicle.
Firefighters helped the EMS crew package the patient and checked the vehicles for any hazards.
Hennepin EMS crews transported the patient with non-life threatening injuries , according to Hennepin EMS Spokesman Christopher Kummer.
- Assignment: Minneapolis Fire Engine 1, Hennepin EMS Medic 424
Resident Injured in St. Paul Apartment Fire
June 30 – One person suffered smoke inhalation after an apartment fire early Thursday in St. Paul.
Firefighters were called to the 300 block of Dewey Street N. around 2:15 a.m. and Engine 14 arrived to find heavy smoke on the first floor of the three-story apartment building.
A pre-connect was stretched and the fire was quickly contained to the apartment where the fire broke out.
Additional crews checked the upper floors for fire extension. None was found.
Fire Marshal Steve Zaccard said the fire broke out when a resident fell asleep while cooking.
“The fire was confined to the stove top and the cabinet,” he said.
The occupant was transported to the hospital by Medic 22 for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Lake Johanna Firefighters Battle Intense Car Hauler Fire
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
Lake Johanna Fire Dept. Photo
June 28 – Lake Johanna firefighters battled an intense blaze that burned through several vehicles on a car hauler on Tuesday monring.
Station 1 and 4 crews were called to the scene, on Highway 10, north of Interstate 694 in Arden Hills around 7 a.m.
When he arrived, Chief 1 — Tim Boehlke — found heavy fire showing from the 18-wheel hauler carrying seven vehicles, including cars and pickup trucks.
Ladder 4 arrived and firefighters stretched two hoselines to knock down the bulk of the fire.
Boehlke said crews then used portable ladders to access the vehicles on the second deck of the truck. They doused any hot spots and overhauled the fire.
Engine 4 and Tanker 2 supplied Ladder 4 with water during the firefight and overhaul operations.
The fire started in one of the hauler’s tires and quickly spread to the cargo, Boehlke said. The fire spread to five vehicles.
- Initial Assignment: Engine 4, Ladder 4, Utility 1, Chief 1. Second Alarm: Engine 2, Tanker 2, Utility 2, Station 3 for standby.
Coon Rapids Firefighters Clean Up Major Fluid Leak
Hanson Blvd over Hwy 10 / Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Hanson Blvd and Hwy 10 / Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Hanson Blvd and Robinson Drive / Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
113th and Martin Street / Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
113th and Martin Street / Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
June 28 – Fire crews responded to numerous locations in Coon Rapids to clean up a hydraulic fluid release from a garbage truck on Tuesday.
The truck left hydraulic fluid spills from Hanson Boulevard and Highway 242 to 113th Avenue NW and Martin Street.
Coon Rapids firefighters were initially called to a reported fluid spill at Hanson Boulevard and Northdale Boulevard around noon.
Rescue 2 arrived to find a large area of fluid on Hanson at the Highway 10 overpass.
Due to another spill at Hanson and Robinson Drive, Station 3 was requested to respond.
It was soon determined that the truck leaking fluid was stopped at 113th Avenue and Martin Street. Command requested that Station 1 be dispatched to that location.
A duty crew callback was initiated to staff the stations and fire crews returned to service just after 1:30 p.m.
Coon Rapids Police and the Anoka County Highway Department assisted with traffic control and cleanup.
St. Paul Firefighters Work Extended Extrication
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
June 27 – St. Paul firefighters worked for close to 45 minutes to free two men who were trapped after their car struck a tree Monday night.
Around 10 p.m., firefighters were called to a reported accident with multiple injuries on Smith Avenue and Curtice Street. Dispatchers advised fire units that police were on scene and that extrication was required.
Engine 15 and Medic 6 arrived found a four-door car with the driver’s side wrapped around a tree with the driver and rear passenger’s side occupant trapped. Two others had escaped the vehicle and command requested a squad and an additional medic.
Firefighter’s cut and removed the roof, cut several doors and pulled the dashboard up.
After close to 45 minutes, firefighter freed the two men from the mangled wreck.
The four occupants were transported to area hospitals and their conditions are unknown.
- Initial Assignment: Engines 8 and 15, Ladder 8 and Medics 6, 8. Special Called: Squad 3, Medic 10 and Chief 2.
Finding Your Department on the Fire Wire
Thank you for visiting Twin Cities Fire Wire — we really appreciate the feedback and compliments from our visitors!
One question that comes to us quite often is “Do you have anything from the XYZ fire department?”
It’s pretty easy to locate any coverage of a specific department using the categories on the right hand side of the page, just below the Twitter feed. Scroll down that list to find your department or other categories, such as dwelling or garage fires, technical rescues or roadway incidents. If you click on any of those categories, you’ll find anything related to that topic.
For example, if you click on Maple Grove Fire’s name, you get the following.
Thank you and stay safe!
Coon Rapids Garage Fire Held Before Spreading
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
June 26 – Firefighters kept a raging fire from spreading through a 24-unit garage at a Coon Rapids apartment complex on Sunday.
Fire crews were called to 10600 block of Tamarack Street around 7 p.m. While enroute, Anoka County dispatch advised they had multiple calls and a report of one with possible injuries.
Coon Rapids Engine 1 was first to arrive and reported a large garage complex with one unit fully involved. Coon Rapids Captain 12 assumed command and requested a general alarm.
Crews laid a supply line and pulled a pre-connected handline and a 2 1/2-inch handline and quickly knocked down the main body of fire.
The blaze damaged three units. One unit had extensive damage and two neighboring units suffered moderate damage.
- Assignment: Coon Rapids: Engines 1, 2 and 3, Chief 2 Mutual Aid: Anoka-Champlin covered Coon Rapids Station 3
The Twin Cities Fire Service in the News – June 25
Eagan’s New Safety Center/Fire Station In The News
The new fire safety center/Station 2 received a ton of news coverage this week when it had a grand opening and dedication. The $8.1 million building combined two fire stations into one, has several training features and is features green construction. Find more coverage here: Eagan Patch, Pioneer Press, This Week Newspapers
Final Interview With Richfield Chief Sveum
Richfield Fire Chief Brad Sveum talks with Richfield Patch’s Caitlin Burgess about 38 years in the fire service. Sveum, who retires this month, reflects on 29 year in Richfield and shares his most memorable moments. Read the interview here.
Brooklyn Center Receives Grant for Thermal Imager
The Brooklyn Center Fire Department has a new thermal imaging camera after receiving a $9,800 grant from the Firemen’s Fund Insurance Company. According to the Minnesota Sun Newspapers, the department’s current cameras are 15 and 17 years old. You can read the full story here.
Photographer Documents Live Burn in Lakeville
Lakeville Patch’s Paige Andrews photographed the fire department as they participated in a recent live fire training exercise at the ABLE joint training center in Burnsville. Check out the photos here.
There’s a New Fire Marshal in Town: Mendota Heights
Veteran firefighter Jim Lee was recently appointed fire marshal in Mendota Heights. According to the Mendota Heights Patch, Lee was a firefighter in West St. Paul and is now responsible for enforcing fire codes and conducting building inspections. Read the story here.
Fridley Police Beat Fire in Softball Matchup
The Fridley Police Department defeated the fire department with a 12-5 win in Friday night’s ’49er Days softball game. Fridley Patch reports that this was the first time the teams played each other in more than 20 years. Read the story and see the photos here.
Golden Valley Recruitment Drive
More than 20 people attended the first of three recruitment drives for the Golden Valley Fire Department. Check out Golden Valley Patch’s story and photos here.
St. Louis Park Fire Station Demolished
Construction crews demolished 40-year-old St. Louis Park Fire Station 1 recently. A video from St. Louis Park Patch shows the work underway and the website reports that it’s the first step in the construction of a new $15.5 million fire station.
Boy Scouts Learn About Fire from Stillwater Firefighters
Stillwater Patch covered an event where boy scouts were given a. Click here to see the photos.
See something that we’ve missed? Send an e-mail to TwinCitiesFireWire@yahoo.com and we’ll look into it.
Oakdale Crews Tackle Unoccupied House Fire
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
Twin Cities Fire Wire Photo
June 24 – Oakdale firefighters battled a smoky dwelling fire on Friday evening.
Crews were called to the 6200 block of 43rd Street N. around 8 p.m. for a report of smoke coming from the home.
When fire units arrived they reported smoke showing from the front door and eaves of the two-story, split level home.
Firefighters stretched a 1 3/4-inch line from Engine 98 to knock down the fire and a water supply was secured from a hydrant in the front yard. A backup line was stretched to the front door of the home.
Chief Jeff Anderson said the fire was a room and contents fire, contained to a bedroom.
The fire was placed under control in about 15 minutes.
Crews cleared the scene about 10 p.m.
- Assignment: Engine 98, Ladders 87 and 97
Fire Damages Garage in Frogtown
June 22 – Fire damaged a garage in St. Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon.
Around 5:30 p.m. units were called to the corner of Marion Street and University Avenue for a detached garage fire.
The dispatcher came back, saying that several 9-1-1 calls were received and that police officers found the fire on Aurora Avenue near Marion.
Engine 18 found heavy smoke showing from a one-car garage.
According to scanner traffic, Engine 18 stretched a pre-connect and Squad 1 took a backup hoseline.
Engine 22 was assigned to water supply and Ladder 18 opened the structure.
The fire was placed under control in about 10 minutes.
- Assignment: Engines 18 and 22, Ladder 18, Squad 1 and Chief 2
Twin Cities Fire Wire 