EMFD fights van fire and combustible metals

At 6:35 p.m. on May 20, 2019, East Meadow Fire District Communications began receiving calls of a van fire in the vicinity of 1900 Hempstead Turnpike to which Engines 611, 612, and Heavy Rescue 616 responded. 

Within minutes, Chief of Department Eric Becker, his assistant chiefs Paul Kosiba and Peter Cheswick and unit 6155 (Safety Officer) were en-route. At 6:39 p.m., East Meadow Fire Communications radioed Chief Becker of another call: a house fire on Meadow Lane. 

Chief Becker immediately changed his direction of travel to command the house fire on Meadow Lane. He quickly jockeyed responding units, re-directing Engine 612 to the house fire, while instructing dispatch to fill out the house fire response with the next available companies, and a "Station 1, 2, 3, and 4” alert was effected adding Engines 613, 614, and Ladder 619. 

Arriving first at the van fire, unit 6155 radioed a "fully involved van fire," as black acrid smoke rose above Hempstead Turnpike.

Minutes later, first due Engine 611 arrived on the scene of the van fire immediately followed by Heavy Rescue 616. Firefighters quickly pulled the attack hose and other equipment, and water was soon on the fire.

As firefighters moved in on the van fire, they were suddenly met with spectacular, yet dangerous, displays of "firework-like" arcing and showers of metal sparks. A clear sign of combustible metals found in many of today's vehicles that can react violently when on fire, and hit with water.

Although firefighters can handle smaller metal fires of this nature with a specialized fire extinguishers, blitzing the fire with a large volume of water from a safe distance proved to be the best attack.

With Engine 614 now on the scene, a second water source and attack line was established providing the final impact needed to extinguish all the fire.

Although the main body of fire was knocked down within minutes, firefighters remained on the scene for 40 minutes ensuring final extinguishment of the combustible metals, and repacking their hose and equipment. Damage to the van was a total loss. There were no injuries.

Meanwhile, at the Meadow Lane house fire, Chief Becker found a minor incident with an electrical outlet short, advising dispatch that no further units would be needed at his location. 

John J. O'Brien is an active Ex Chief of the East Meadow Fire Department. He is the District Supervisor of the Jericho Fire District and has over 40 years of Dispatch and Supervisory experience.