FIREFIGHTER LOST, FIREFIGHTER LODD-A REPORT FROM THE TEXAS STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Monday, August 31, 2015
We want to pass on information and the link to the Texas State FM investigative report related to the Houston Fire Department’s LODD of Firefighter Daniel Groover. This report was released two weeks ago.
On July 9, 2014, at 3:52 p.m., the Houston FD received a report of a residential fire at 1510 Mistletoe Lane. Engine 104 was first on scene, staffed with:
· An officer (E104A).
· Two firefighters, E104B and Daniel Groover (E104C).
· A driver, Engineer Operator (E104D).
When Engine 104 arrived on the scene there was fire on the Delta (west) side of the two story residence. The fire was engulfing an attached storage shed used to store ammunition and ammunition reload equipment. Ammunition in the shed was exploding from the fire.
Firefighter Groover (E104C), Firefighter E104B, and the Engineer Operator stretched a 150-foot, 13/4” attack line to the Delta side to attack the storage shed fire while E104A conducted an assessment along Alpha to the Alpha/Bravo corner and returned to the crew.
NO FIRE. LITTLE SMOKE.
The fire had extended into the first floor attic space and was moving through the attic. E104A took Firefighter Groover and went to a door at the garage to search for fire extension.
They forced an entry door to the garage and did not see fire or smoke. They went to the main entry door of the residence and forced open the door. Firefighter E104B brought the hose line from the shed to the front door as E104A searched the first floor for fire extension.
There was no fire and little smoke on the first floor, and they prepared to search the second floor.
The three-person crew went up the stairs to the second floor to search for and halt the fire extension. The attack line did not reach the second floor, but E104A and Firefighter Groover continued the search on the second floor as Firefighter E104B tried to get additional slack in the hose line.
FIREFIGHTER SEPARATED.
Firefighter Groover became separated from E104A when smoke and heat filled the second floor. Smoke and heat extended into the second floor from the attic, and E104A ordered the crew to exit.
When outside it was discovered that Firefighter Groover was unaccounted for and the electronic accountability system indicated Firefighter Groover’s TPASS was in alarm. Continued attempts to contact Firefighter Groover were unsuccessful, and a Rapid Intervention Team was deployed.
Firefighter Groover was located inside a second floor room at the French doors leading onto the balcony at the back of the house. Firefighter Groover was removed, and resuscitation efforts began immediately.
Firefighter Groover was transported to the Kingwood Medical Center as resuscitation efforts continued. Firefighter Daniel Groover succumbed to the injuries he received while fighting the house fire.
An autopsy conducted by the Harris County Forensics Institute revealed that Firefighter Daniel Groover died from smoke inhalation.
HERE is the entire report.
http://www.tdi.texas.gov/reports/fire/documents/fmfffgroover.pdf
RIP.
