MEC&F Expert Engineers

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

THE CAUSE OF DEATH OF JOHN JOSEPH O'BRIEN: He was probably using either oxygen or using an oxygen generator at the time of the fire

 Officials said O’Brien had an oxygen tank and was a smoker. Several people were unsuccessful in trying to rescue O’Brien, who was wheelchair-bound.


By Austin L. Miller

SEPTEMBER 17, 2018




Report states that “decedent was probably using either oxygen or using an oxygen generator at the time of the fire.”

OCALA, FLORIDA– 


State and local law enforcement officials have determined that the death of a man in a July mobile home fire was not suspicious in nature.

Marion County Fire Rescue firefighters were called at 4:20 p.m. July 10 and arrived within five minutes. The fire was extinguished at 4:45 p.m. The fire destroyed the single-wide mobile home at the Oakcrest Mobile Home Park at 900 NE 31st St. After putting out the blaze, firefighters found the body of John Joseph O’Brien, 60.

Officials said O’Brien had an oxygen tank and was a smoker. Several people were unsuccessful in trying to rescue O’Brien, who was wheelchair-bound.

An investigator with the Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives noted in the final report that the point of origin of the fire was in a reclining chair in the living area.

“Weather did not contribute to the fire. The origin of the fire is the southern half of the structure. The decedent was probably using either oxygen or using an oxygen generator at the time of the fire,” wrote bureau investigator Thomas Hall in the report. “There were no observed criminal activities during the investigation of the fire.”

State officials said that, with assistance of their arson dog Fresca, they examined the outside and inside of the approximately 800-square-foot home. The dog did not alert to anything unusual.

Officials from the Medical Examiner’s Office, which determined the cause and manner of O’Brien’s death, said he died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the manner was natural.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Detective Damon Baxley interviewed O’Brien’s wife, Angela O’Brien, who told him that her husband had “numerous health problems.” She said he used oxygen in the home, including while he was smoking.

On July 10, she said, she left the home around 3:30 p.m. to pick up their roommate from work. On the way home, they stopped at a store to purchase cigarettes and beer. She said they saw smoke coming from the direction of the home while at the nearby store. She said they rushed home and saw the home engulfed in flames. They tried to go inside but could not because of the flames.


Russell Cooper, the couple’s roommate, told the detective that when he was picked up from work, they talked with John O’Brien on the phone. He said both he and O’Brien’s wife warned him not to smoke and use his oxygen at the same time. Cooper said O’Brien did not think the oxygen was flammable.

A neighbor told Baxley about hearing four loud booms and then seeing flames coming from the mobile home.

In an interview on Tuesday, Angela O’Brien described her husband as a “good person, who would give his shirt off his back to anyone.” She said she has seen him “do it many times.”

She said her husband was born in Toledo, Ohio and they had been together for 19 years. She said they did not have any children together but that she had adopted a boy who is now 7-years-old.

O’Brien said her husband “has been my rock.”

She said she has been staying with a friend and has just been trying to cope with his death.

“I’m not doing too well. Whenever I go out, I see him,” she said about places they used to visit together.

A fire truck crashed into a Honda car while responding to a call in the Bronx, injuring five family members, including three kids




September 17, 2018

A fire truck crashed into a car while responding to a call in the Bronx, injuring five people, including three kids, according to NYPD.


The FDNY vehicle collided with the other vehicle near the intersection of East 180th Street and Mapes Avenue in West Farms early Sunday, just after midnight.


The car’s occupants — two males, ages 39 and 13, and three females, ages 38, 14 and 8 — were taken to Saint Barnabas Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including broken bones, police and sources told the media.


Several if not all of the victims were then transferred to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the source said.


No FDNY members were injured.

Mount Pleasant Public Works employee, Daniel Huck, 61, of Racine, died after he was struck by reckless driver Amy Hoecherl, 55, of Mount Pleasant on Green Bay Road as he was marking utility locations


 Mount Pleasant Public Works employee, Daniel Huck, 61, of Racine, died after he was struck by reckless driver Amy Hoecherl, 55, of Mount Pleasant on Green Bay Road as he was marking utility locations
 Amy Hoecherl, 55, of Mount Pleasant


 Daniel Huck, 61, of Racine, died after he was struck by reckless driver



UPDATE

According to a Tuesday morning update from the Mount Pleasant Police Department,
Huck was marking utility locations along the median of Highway 31 when he was struck. Huck was employed by the Village of Mount Pleasant for 22 years in the sewer utility department.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Amy Hoecherl, 55, of Mount Pleasant.

=======================
Mount Pleasant worker struck by car on Green Bay Road dies of injuries

Deneen Smith


September 18, 2018


A Mount Pleasant Public Works employee struck by a car while working on Green Bay Road Monday afternoon has died.


Daniel Huck, 61, of Racine, had been an employee of the village Public Works Department for 22 years. He was working on Green Bay Road, marking utility locations near Shirley Avenue at about 1 p.m. Monday when he was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by Amy Hoecherl, 55, of Mount Pleasant.

According to a statement from the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Huck was wearing reflective clothing while he was working. After the crash, he was taken by helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa with critical injuries. Police said he died Monday evening at the hospital.

Hoecherl was cooperative with police. Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the crash.  However, she was driving recklessly at a work zone.  The Mount Pleasant Police and the Wisconsin State Patrol Accident Reconstruction Unit are working on the investigation.

OIL DISCHARGES, SUNKEN VESSELS, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RELEASES IN THE WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES DURING AUGUST 2018









Incident Responses for August 2018


Posted Fri, 09/07/2018 - 12:54


Every month our Emergency Response Division provides scientific expertise and services to the U.S. Coast Guard on everything from running oil spill trajectories to model where the spill may spread, to possible effects on wildlife and fisheries, and estimates on how long the oil may stay in the environment.

This month OR&R responded to 13 incidents, including oil discharges, sunken vessels, and hazardous material releases.

Here are some of August’s notable incidents:







Gasoline and Asphalt Releasing into Vermillion, Ohio Marina After Leak Discovered

On Aug. 23, NOAA received reports that a leak had developed along an underground fuel line connecting to fuel pumps from an 8,000 gallon above-ground gasoline tank at a local marina in Vermilion, Ohio. Marine Safety Unit Cleveland told NOAA the incident had been discovered on Friday, Aug. 17.

At the time of the notification, approximately 829 gallons of gasoline was unaccounted for — the majority of which is believed to be saturated in the ground under the asphalt and slowly leaching out, causing a rainbow sheen and deteriorated asphalt to enter the Vermilion River. Discharged oil was being contained along the pier with hard boom and sorbent material. OR&R was asked for a report on the wildlife and other natural resources at risk in the area.

On Aug. 24, the U.S. Coast Guard notified NOAA that a 42-foot tuna boat caught fire at the dock on Merrimack River in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Vessel Catches Fire and Sinks in Merrimack River, Massachusetts

On Aug. 24, the U.S. Coast Guard notified NOAA that a 42-foot tuna boat caught fire at the dock on Merrimack River in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The vessel sank at the dock and was reportedly carrying 500 gallons of marine diesel onboard at the time it caught fire. The Coast Guard requested that OR&R provide trajectory for a potential fuel release.

An overflight shows an oil sheen along the shoreline in Port Arthur, Texas.
Two Vessels Collide near Port Arthur, Texas Release Over 1,000 Gallons of Oil

On Aug. 29, the Coast Guard contacted NOAA regarding a collision between two vessels in Port Arthur, Texas. A tank barge collided with the M/V Endurance trust, creating a 4-foot gash in one of the tanks. NOAA was asked to run fate and trajectory modeling. About a third of the tank — 1,176 gallons — of vacuum gas oil was estimated to have released at Flint Hills Resource Dock 3 in the Corpus Christi Inner Harbor.

Clean-up efforts involved using approximately 1,700 feet of pollution boom around the site of the collision. Skimmers, vacuum trucks, and frac tanks were brought on scene to remove oil from the water.

For more information, view the recent Coast Guard update .







Vessel Catches Fire, Releases Oil, and Sinks near Port Isabel, Texas

On Aug. 31, the Coast Guard notified NOAA that a vessel was reportedly on fire 40 miles east of Port Isabel, Texas. At the time it caught fire, the 68-foot fishing vessel Master D was carrying an estimated 20,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 400 gallons of lube oil. A ½ mile sheen was observed behind the vessel. The Coast Guard asked OR&R to provide a trajectory for the oil and to report on the potential resources at risk.

The Coast Guard had received an emergency radio beacon alert from the fishing vessel and traced the beacon to the vessel’s location. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Coho found the fishing vessel and the three-person crew nearby in a life raft. The crew was safely transported back to their station.

The Coast Guard opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the incident that is categorized as a major marine casualty to help mitigate pollution threats to the environment as they arise, according to a Coast Guard press release . The Coast Guard established a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel.

The fishing vessel sank 58 miles from Port Isabel on Saturday — after burning for two days. The cause of the incident is still being investigated. Shoreline impacts are not expected due to the distance offshore and the forecasted weather. For more information, see the Coast Guard’s most recent press release .

A stack of pollution boom at a marina in Vermilion, Ohio, where a leak in a fuel line was reported.

Here is the complete list of last month’s incidents, click on the links to find out more:
Oil Transfer Accident / Chemistry Support
F/V BEACH RUNNER Sinking
Mystery Sheen MC 807
Failed Wellhead, Gulf of Mexico
Grounded F/V Pacific Quest
Main Pass 69 Sheen
Synthetic Oil Spill Blount Island Jacksonville, FL
Vermilion Gasoline/Asphalt Marina Discharge
Hurricane Lane, Hawaiian Islands
F/V HIT LIST Fire
Barge CBR 2017
Corpus Christi Inner Harbor Discharge
F/V Master D

Worker William Viles, of Belfast, died and two others injured when part of a barn collapsed during demolition in the Waldo County town of Knox, Maine

Worker William Viles, of Belfast, died and two others injured when part of a barn collapsed during demolition in the Waldo County town of Knox




UPDATED: One killed, two injured in Knox barn collapse


By Erica Thoms 


Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2018


KNOX, MAINE — 



One person was killed and two were injured when the barn they were working to dismantle collapsed on the morning of Thursday, September 13.

The barn, at 1039 Belfast Road in Knox, was being taken apart by the three men when the collapse occurred. Freedom Fire Department Chief James Waterman said the 911 call came in at 9:25 a.m.

A news release from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the roof of the barn had collapsed on one of the men, trapping him inside.

Upon arrival at the scene first responders attempted to extricate William Viles, 55, of Belfast. However despite their efforts, Viles died at the scene.

The release states that a second man, Brandon Dodge, 29 of Belfast was transported to Waldo County General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and a third worker 23-year-old Charles Haskins of Jackson, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Suydam & Sons of Northport was the contractor dismantling the structure when the accident occurred. The proprietor of the Suydam & Sons, William Magruder, 60 of Northport was the fourth worker on the scene at the time of the incident, according to the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office.


Fire Departments from Montville, Freedom, Brooks, Jackson, Thorndike and Unity all responded to the call as well as Ambulances from Unity, Brooks and Liberty. Lifeflight was initially requested, but ultimately canceled prior to arrival, according to the release.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified and responded to the scene to conduct an investigation which is standard protocol with all serious workplace injuries or deaths. Detectives from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office remained on scene to assist in that matter.

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1 Killed, 2 Injured in Barn Collapse


Authorities say a 55-year-old man died when part of a barn collapsed during demolition in the Waldo County town of Knox.


September 13, 2018

Officials: 1 Killed, 2 Injured in Barn Collapse

KNOX, Maine (AP) —

Authorities say a 55-year-old man died when part of a barn collapsed during demolition in the Waldo County town of Knox.

Sheriff Jeffrey Trafton said workers were dismantling the structure when the roof collapsed Thursday morning, trapping one of the workers. He said William Viles, of Belfast, died despite the efforts of contractors and first responders to extricate him.

Trafton said two other workers were injured. One of them was taken to a hospital.

Suydam & Sons of Northport was the contractor dismantling the structure. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is conducting an investigation. 


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Worker William Viles, of Belfast, died and two others injured when part of a barn collapsed during demolition in the Waldo County town of Knox



William Viles was born Jan. 26, in Farmington.

We tragically lost a great man on Sept 13. "Wild Bill” was known by many.

He is survived by his loving wife Denise Viles of Belfast; his five brothers; his four daughters; and his two sons.

Bill’s family was his world, but he cared for and took under his wing many other local kids who needed guidance, a strong mentor and basic support in life. His friends and clients also got his support and enthusiasm when in need.

Bill was a "Bill" of all trades from paving, landscaping, metal recycling and snowplowing. He was an accomplisher of difficult tasks and a general entrepreneur of people’s everyday needs. He touched his local community in a special way, and folks knew him as the rock that defined success in many ways. Whenever there was a task at hand Bill gave it everything he had. There were so many people in this community who would call Bill for projects that most would find too difficult to accomplish, or too much work. He would always be up for the challenge and get it done with a bit of sweat and a strong back, bulling his way through to completion, and always with a loud chat of proud accomplishment when the mission was completed. With a kind heart and generous soul, Bill had a focus in life: work hard, be loyal to your family and friends with support, and always lend a helping hand. His enthusiastic "get it done" attitude pulled him through many life situations where most people would have succumbed to failure.

To the people who were lucky enough to know him, we will always remember a man who defined perseverance and accomplishment in so many ways. He had unique bullish ways to take on tasks, but a artistic eye with a real feel for unique items. One of his greatest pleasures was sharing his found items with his closest friends. Bill was a true, honest soul and those of us who were lucky enough to get close learned a lot from him and will never forget him.

As a sendoff into Bill’s next adventure,a gathering for all will be hosted at 123 Woodsmans Mill Road, Searsmont, at 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28.

I am horny and wet.  Cum and put your throbbing rod inside me.