MEC&F Expert Engineers : 10/02/16

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Construction worker crushed to death when a retaining wall falls on him in Anchorage, Alaska




Four-plex retaining wall falls on and kills worker, police say

Author: Jerzy Shedlock

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 


UPDATE: A man killed in an Anchorage construction accident Friday has been identified by police as 24-year-old Nicholson Tinker.

Anchorage police say a man was killed Friday when a retaining wall he was working on fell on him.



The Anchorage Police Department did not identify the man in a release. He will be identified once his family has been told about the death, police said.



The Anchorage Police and Fire departments responded to a four-plex on the 1500 block of West 40th Avenue in the area of Spenard at 3:34 p.m.



"Two men were removing an existing outdoor retaining wall for the purposes of building a new one. While wooden support beams were being taken down, the old retaining wall fell on one of the workers," said APD spokesperson Renee Oistad in the release.



The man was dead at the scene. No one else was injured, police said.

Worker died after being electrocuted while working on a light fixture at the Walmart on Nelson Road in Lake Charles, LA




Man electrocuted while working on light fixture at 3451 Nelson Road Walmart Tuesday, September 27th 2016, 5:10 pm EDTTuesday, September 27th 2016, 7:31 pm EDT
By KPLC Digital Staff


(Source: KPLC) LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -

A man died on Monday afternoon after being electrocuted while working on a light at the Walmart at 3451 Nelson Road, authorities said.

Lake Charles Fire Chief Keith Murray said when firefighters arrived on the scene, the worker was still being shocked and had been for some time.

He said he did not know how long the man was being shocked before his crew got there.

The worker, whose name has not been released, was lying on top of a generator and working on a light fixture high in the air.

This accident did not happen inside the store, so no customers or employees witnessed the incident, Murray said.

EMS officials were called first but they couldn’t reach the man. That’s when the fire department was called.

The man was pronounced dead at a local hospital, Murray said.

Charles Crowson, senior manager of Walmart corporate communications, released the following statement: “Our thoughts go out to the family and loved ones of this worker accidentally killed at our store. We’ll continue assisting investigators, as they determine what happened.”

Speeding and/or drunk driver killed in a fiery crash after he smashes his car into a tree in East Austin, Texas



Driver killed in North Austin fiery crash

KXAN News Published: October 2, 2016, 2:49 am Updated: October 2, 2016, 7:55 am
East Austin car crash (KXAN/Tom Rapp)

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A man is dead after an early morning car crash in East Austin.

It happened just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the 7500 block of Cameron Road.

Police say a man in his mid-30’s took a curve too fast, drove his car into the median and then into a tree. The car burst into flames.

Officers and medics with Austin-Travis County EMS got to the scene and put the fire out.

EMS pronounced the driver dead at the scene.

No one else was in the car.

Police say speed was a factor in the crash. They are investigating whether alcohol also played a role.

Three dead, one seriously injured when a white Ford F-350 and a black Chrysler 300 collide and catch fire in Beaumont, Texas



BEAUMONT, TEXAS — Update 9:50 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 016 from BPD:

Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 1:06 AM, officers responded to a major crash in the 5700 block of S MLK PKWY. Upon arrival two vehicles, a white Ford F-350 and a black Chrysler 300 were on fire. Officers used fire extinguishers from their patrol units until the fire department arrived on scene and extinguished the flames. Three people were deceased, two from the Chrysler and one from the truck. Another occupant from the truck was transported to a Houston hospital in serious condition.

Due to the number of fatalities and type of the scene, there will be no additional information today. Investigators are working with witnesses and trying to notify next of kin.

Previous KFDM and Six News on Fox update: Authorities say a third person has died tonight from injuries suffered in a crash on MLK and Cardinal in Beaumont, according to Beaumont Fire-Rescue Capt. Brad Pennison.


Investigators are still scene of the crash tonight.

Previous KFDM and Six News on Fox update: A second person has died tonight in a fiery crash in the 5700 block of MLK. First responders are still at the scene tonight.

The crash happened at about 1 a.m. Sunday.

Stay with KFDM News for additional updates tonight.

Initial KFDM and Six New on Fox report below:

Breaking News: Right now first responders are at the scene of a deadly and fiery crash in the 5700 block of MLK.

One person has died at the scene and another has been transported to the hospital, according to a Beaumont Fire-Rescue dispatcher. Vehicles are on fire, and first responders are working now to put out the fire. 


Witnesses on the scene say the pickup truck was stolen but officers have not confirmed that information.

More information as it becomes available.

Crashes like this in the a.m. hours and especially around weekend are typically caused by drunk drivers. Texas leads the nation in traffic deaths and has the highest traffic death rate.

3-alarm fire at the Travel Lodge Inn and Suits on Route 9 in Latham, New York heavily damages the building





3-alarm fire breaks out at Latham Hotel

October 02, 2016 09:07 AM

LATHAM, NY -- “I'm thinking a fire of this magnitude had to have been arson or someone leaving a cigarette unattended,” said Andre Reese. “I don't know,” he said.

Colonie Deputy Fire Coordinator Michael Romano says a call came in about a hotel fire around 10:30 Saturday night.


When fire officials arrived to the Travel Lodge Inn and Suits on Route 9 in Latham they immediately started evacuating guests.

“Obviously we want to save life over property,” Romano said. “Our priority was get the life hazard out of the building,” he said.



Fire officials said the fire started in the back of the building.

One witness told NewsChannel 13 he saw two people being rescued from the roof.

“We had heavy fire coming out the rear of the building,” Romano said. “The initial company made a rescue of two occupants off the roof. They're fine they're not hurt,” he said.”

Before firefighters were called, the hotel's manager, Bala Geddam, says a woman staying in room 120 came out completely naked yelling that her room was on fire.

“I call 911 then I left because I'm not sure if she's telling right or wrong because she's a drunk girl anyway,” said Geddam. “Then I went there and by the time smoke and fire, fire came in,” he said.

Andre Reese says he on his way to sleep in his hotel room when he heard a pounding on his door.

“I was alerted by the police that there was a fire going on,” Reese said. “I came out to a huge blaze. I'm glad that they alerted me to the fire because I had no idea,” he said.

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene.

Fire officials say so far no one was injured.

It’s still not clear how much of the building is damaged or how the fire began.

“It doesn't look real good right now for the building,” Romano said.

Dozens displaced after 4-alarm fire breaks out at Morton Hall masonry dormitory at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire; an illegal hibatchi-style grill to blame


Dartmouth College dorm fire blamed on student's hibachi-style grill
 

Firefighters battle a blaze at Morton Hall on the Dartmouth College campus on Oct. 1, 2016.
CBS Boston

HANOVER, N.H. - The New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s Office says an unattended hibachi-style grill used by students sparked a blaze at a Dartmouth College dormitory over the weekend.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight Saturday at Morton Hall. Crews battled the flames for about six hours.

Investigators said Sunday the charcoal grill had been left unattended at the time of the fire.

Officials say all of the dorm’s 300 residents escaped without injuries; but about 70 now need new housing.

CBS Boston reports that two Hanover firefighters sustained minor injuries but were able to keep battling the flames.

The school’s website says charcoal grills are among items not allowed in student dorm rooms.

The investigation continues. 


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4-alarm fire breaks out at Dartmouth College; dozens displaced
Fire started around midnight in Morton Hall, officials say
UPDATED 8:22 PM EDT Oct 01, 2016


HANOVER, N.H. —The design of a Dartmouth dormitory created a challenge for crews trying to put out a four-alarm fire Saturday morning.

An alarm just after midnight alerted firefighters to the flames at Morton Hall. Students were already evacuating the building when firefighters arrived to discover near-zero visibility on the fourth floor.

The first crew on scene reported fire on the roof, but a 25-foot space under the building's vaulted copper roof made it hard to get the flames under control. It eventually took crews from more than 10 towns in New Hampshire and Vermont to put out the fire. Two firefighters received minor injuries but remain on duty.

Morton Hall, part of a cluster of residential buildings on East Wheelock Street, is uninhabitable right now because of the extensive smoke and water damage. About 71 students live in the building. The Dartmouth College newspaper reports that a meeting Saturday afternoon will reassign the affected students to new housing.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.


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Morton Hall is currently uninhabitable as a result of extensive smoke and water damage caused by a four-alarm fire that started at 12:05 a.m., according to a Hanover Fire Department press release.

The press release did not state the cause or origin of the fire, noting the information will be released when available. The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Hanover Police Department are currently investigating the fire. Two firefighters who sustained minor injuries remained on duty at the site.

The press release said the fire was difficult to fight because of the height of the building and the “void space construction of the heavy gauge copper roofing material.”



No one was injured in the fire and students were evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department. The initial firefighters requested first alarm assistance and began an interior fire attack. They conducted a search and rescue operation on the upper two floors, reporting near zero visibility on the fourth floor as a result of thick black smoke and high heat conditions. They reported moderate smoke on the third floor.

As soon as Hanover Fire Chief Martin McMillan arrived, he immediately requested second-alarm assistance.

Several New Hampshire and Vermont fire departments, including Lyme, Lebanon, Enfield, Claremont, Hartford, Norwich, Thetford, Bradford, Windsor and Hartland assisted the Hanover department. The Lyme FAST Squad and Upper Valley Ambulance were on site to assist firefighters. The American Red Cross helped all responding agencies at the scene.


=======

Town of Hanover
Fire Department
48 Lyme Road
Hanover, NH 03755
www.hanovernh.org
Telephone: (603) 643-3424
Fax: (603) 643-0741
 

Press Release
Date: Saturday – October 1, 2016 Time: 00:05 hrs.


The Hanover Fire Department was dispatched this morning to the Dartmouth College campus for an automatic alarm in a four story masonry dormitory. Morton Hall is located at 15 East Wheelock Street and is one of several buildings that form a cluster of resident halls. The initial fire company officer reported a fire on the roof and requested a first-alarm assignment.



Dartmouth students were evacuating the building prior to the arrival of the Hanover Fire Department. This undergraduate resident hall houses approximately 70 students. Firefighters were able to initiate an interior fire attack and conducted search and rescue operation on the upper two floors. Fire crews reported a moderate smoke on the third floor, and near zero visibility on the fourth floor due to thick black smoke and high heat conditions. Hanover Fire Chief Martin McMillan arrived on-scene an immediately requested a  second-alarm assignment based on the reports from the interior fire companies,
the occupancy of the building, and time of day.




This was an extremely difficult and complicated fire to fight due to the height of the building, and the void space construction of the heavy gauge copper roofing material. The design of the building included approximately 25’ vaulted ceilings that prevented the firefighters from exposing the fire that was burning in the roof structure from the interior. A total of four alarms were required to bring this stubborn fire under control.


The Hanover Fire Department was assisted by several New Hampshire and Vermont fire departments. They included Lyme, Lebanon, Enfield, Claremont, Hartford, Norwich, Thetford, Bradford, Windsor and Hartland. The Lyme FAST Squad and Upper Valley Ambulance responded to the College to assist firefighting personnel. The American Red Cross provided support to all responding agencies at the scene.


The building is currently uninhabitable due to extensive smoke and water damage caused by the fire. The fire is currently under investigation by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Hanover Police Department. Two firefighter sustained minor injuries; both remained on-duty.


Dartmouth College officials are expected to issue a press release regarding the students displaced by this fire. No civilian injuries occurred. Pertinent information regarding the investigation of the cause and origin of the fire will be released when available.


Please contact the Hanover Fire Department if you require additional information
regarding this incident.
Martin W. McMillan EFO
Fire Chief
Emergency Management Director
Hanover Fire Department
48 Lyme Road
Hanover, NH 03755
Work: (603) 640-3340
Cell: (585) 755-7696
Fax: (603) 643-0741
Email: martin.mcmillan@hanovernh.org


31-year-old worker seriously injured after he was shocked as he was guiding a large Best Western motel sign in place when the crane cable hit a power line overhead in South Carolina




SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
COLLETON CO., S.C. (WCIV) — Colleton County Fire and Rescue responded to the Ruby Tuesday's on Sniders Highway Saturday morning after a worker was electrocuted.

According to CCFR officials, a 31-year-old Georgia man was guiding a large Best Western motel sign in place when the crane cable hit a power line overhead.

The man was knocked to the ground and unresponsive but was resuscitated by firefighter paramedics who came in from just a mile away. Officials said a nurse who was at a nearby gas station also ran over to help.

The man was taken to Colleton Medical Center and then the Trauma Center at Trident Medical in Summerville before finally going to a burn center for his injuries.


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Man resuscitated after electrocution in Colleton County Sunday, September 25th 2016, 3:58 pm EDTSunday, September 25th 2016, 4:01 pm EDT
By Carli Drayton, Digital Content Producer




Source: Live 5

Source: Live 5 COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) -

A man was electrocuted Saturday morning, while working to change out a motel sign.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m., according to Colleton County Fire-Rescue.

The Georgia man, 31-years-old, was successfully resuscitated following an electrocution in the 1000 block of Sniders Highway in front of a Ruby Tuesday restaurant.

The man was part of a crew changing out a large elevated motel sign, when witnesses stated the sign or the crane cable made contact with overhead power lines.

The man was guiding the sign and was immediately knocked to the ground unresponsive, according to Colleton County Fire-Rescue.

Bystanders advised the sound was like two tractor trailers colliding.

Firefighters and paramedics that were located a mile from the scene, arrived quickly, found the man in cardiac arrest. They then began CPR, according to reports.

The patient was immediately defibrillated with a return of spontaneous circulation.

A nurse who was at a nearby gas station also responded to assist.

The man was transported to Colleton Medical Center to be stabilized.

He was then flown by medical helicopter to the Trauma Center at Trident Medical in Summerville.

Later Saturday evening, the man was awake and transferred to a Burn Center to treat his other injuries.

Construction worker killed while backing up a large excavator out of a garage at Mirra Co, Inc.








Employee dies in apparent construction accident in Georgetown

By
Catherine Lindsay
September 29, 2016 



Georgetown, Mass.
 
A construction employee died in an apparent workplace accident Thursday afternoon, the Essex District Attorney’s office said in a statement. The man was fatally injured while backing up a large excavator out of a garage at Mirra Co, Inc., authorities said.

Around 4:28 p.m., police and firefighters responded to the area of 6 Norino Way after a 911 call. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the DA’s office.

The incident remains under investigation, and the DA’s office said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified.