Update: Big response but small fire on Fauntleroy Way

(Photo by Patrick Sand for WSB)
10:06 PM: Just in case you heard the sirens (we did) – the fire response is in the 8900 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. Scanner says it’s a kitchen fire that’s already reported “tapped.” But because the (standard for a house-fire call) response is so big, Fauntleroy will be blocked for a bit till units are canceled. We’re on our way to doublecheck.

10:18 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says two engines remain; firefighters are investigating just to be sure the fire didn’t “extend” into the walls or other parts of the structure. The house is a few doors north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock and Cove Park entrances. Fauntleroy Way is no longer blocked, since most of the units have been sent back.

13 Replies to "Update: Big response but small fire on Fauntleroy Way"

  • Dc August 24, 2011 (10:09 pm)

    Wsb is so great! We hear sirens and think “check the blog.”
    Hope everyone is ok in the fire

  • Kerri August 24, 2011 (10:10 pm)

    It’s crazy how fast you guys report stories. The sirens were just barely out of earshot when you posted this!

  • Clay Swidler August 24, 2011 (10:11 pm)

    As usual, if I hear something like this outside, I/we can rely on Tracy and her team to have the 411 real time. Great job Tracy and WS Blog!

  • LN August 24, 2011 (10:50 pm)

    I agree. I live right on 35th so anytime I see or hear sirens, the first thing I do is check WSB. Thank you for the awesome job you do!

  • JoanE August 25, 2011 (8:07 am)

    Thanks once again for clearing this up. The sirens seemed to go on for 10 or 15 minutes – I thought something immense must be on fire.

  • jiggers August 25, 2011 (9:28 am)

    I heard and saw them blazing down Fauntleroy last night and knew already someone’s house was going up in flames.

    • WSB August 25, 2011 (10:08 am)

      Jiggers, but it wasn’t. No going up in flames. Small smoky fire in a kitchen. Out before firefighters arrived.

  • jiggers August 25, 2011 (10:17 am)

    That was my initial thought anyways.

  • Mike August 25, 2011 (5:28 pm)

    Why the big response? Must have been a quiet night at SFD.

  • AHNeighbor August 25, 2011 (7:53 pm)

    Many thanks, awesome WSB. We heard the sirens last night and said “Look on WSB”. Sure enuf!!

  • ElevenTruckmen August 25, 2011 (8:23 pm)

    It doesn’t quite work like that Mike. The response to a fire in a dwelling that could be occupied is the same every time. The caller said something that the dispatchers felt was significant enough to send a “Full Response”. When the dispatcher hits the button or keys, the computer selects the closest units that fill the full response ticket and all the bells hit at the respective stations. We dont mess around with life safety and we dont “self dispatch” (go just because we want to) . No matter how quiet it might seem.

    A FIBRES (Fire In Building RESidential) looks something like this:

    5 Engines (4ea.=20)
    2 Ladder Trucks (4ea.=8)
    2 Battalion Chiefs (1ea. =2)
    1 Medic Unit (=2)
    1 Aid Car (=2)
    The “On Duty” Deputy Chief (=1)
    The Chiefs aid (=1)
    The Air Bottle unit (=1)
    The Safety Chief (=1)

    38 people in 15 Rigs

    It seems like a lot but everyone has a job on the fireground. For your safety and ours.

    • WSB August 25, 2011 (8:35 pm)

      Hey Eleven! Thanks for that. I can point to this comment now EVERY TIME IT COMES UP … I actually had sent the SFD PIO a suggestion they make a page on the website (if it doesn’t already exist) explaining this, or else, I offered, I’d do a story talking about it. – TR

  • Susan August 26, 2011 (1:59 pm)

    I agree about how immediately things appear in the WSB. I had just skimmed the blog and read about the fire and response on my way to bed, when the phone rang, and egad…. it was my Dad’s house! Glad that we were only 10 minutes away. He’s fine; just overwhelmed by how quickly things could have gotten out of hand, had he not been right there to see it.

Sorry, comment time is over.