A fire that started after the crash of a Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III helicopter north of Battle Mountain has grown to 59,742 acres. Firefighters Bart Negro and Damon Spring are being treated for second- and third-degree burns.

By Staff

August 22, 2018





BATTLE MOUNTAIN, Nev. (KOLO)-- 

UPDATE: A Community Meeting is planned for Wednesday August 22, 2018 at 7 p.m., Battle Mountain High School, 425 Weaver Street, where fire managers will provide an update on the fire.

EARLIER INFORMATION: A fire that started after the crash of a helicopter north of Battle Mountain has grown to 59,742 acres, or almost 90 square miles. The Sheep Creek Fire is 70 percent contained as of Wednesday morning.

There are no evacuations and no road closures.

Two firefighters were injured fighting the fire, the Bureau of Land Management says. The Battle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department firefighters continue to be treated at a hospital burn center. Bart Negro and Damon Spring (GoFundMe page here) are being treated for second- and third-degree burns.

“Please continue to keep both of these firefighters in your thoughts and prayers and thank you all for your continued support for the firefighters and families,” said Lander County Manager Keith Westengard. “The names of the firefighters will be released when it is appropriate to do so.”

If the community wants to send a card or note to the firefighters, for support of a speedy recovery, they can be mailed to Lander County c/o HR, 50 State Route 305, Battle Mountain, NV 89820.

Additionally, two Nevada Department of Wildlife biologists and a pilot were on the helicopter that crashed. One biologist had neck and back injuries, and the pilot and other biologist had minor injuries and were treated on the scene.

The BLM describes all three as being in good condition. The volunteers were on a fire engine that the Sheep Creek Fire burned over on Saturday.

The helicopter was a contract helicopter taking biologists on a wildlife survey. The fire started in the same area and was reported after the crash about 15 miles north of Battle Mountain. The BLM is waiting for an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of safety with our employees and the public and we are grateful everyone on the flight is safe,” Tony Wasley, director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said in a statement.

Wasley said NDOW will keep the firefighters in their thoughts and prayers.

“This situation highlights the dangers faced by all partners and agencies who assist with battling wildfires,” said acting BLM Nevada State Director Mike Courtney.

The crash of the Bell 206 helicopter crash took place August 18, 2018 about 15 miles north of Battle Mountain, the Lander County Sheriff’s Office says.

The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation and Safety Board.


Help volunteer firefighter Damon

Damon is 21 year old small town guy that has always had a big heart and enjoyed helping people he recently became a member of the battle mountain volunteer fire department he makes every call that he possibly can and is always one of the first people to show up at the fire house ready to go to work.

On August 18th Battle mountain volunteer firefighter Damon Spring and his partner responded to a rescue/fire call due to a helicopter crash while fighting the fire the conditions changed in an instant and were engulfed in flames and their engine was over run by fire . Search and rescue aircraft was able to locate them and get them to saftey after the fire passed they were care flighted to the burn center. They are doing well Damon has 3rd and 2nd degree burns on 14% of his body he’s going to have along road to recovery. https://elkodaily.com/news/local/update-lander-firefighters-still-in-burn-center-after-saturday-incident/article_15bc38a8-7d1b-5a8d-b999-daad4240f2ea.html#tracking-source=home-trending



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Two Battle Mountain volunteer firefighters are being treated for second- and third-degree burns after their engine was burned over while fighting the 59,000-acre Sheep Creek Fire, according to an update from Lander County.

One firefighter has second- and third-degree burns over 14 percent of their body and the other has second- and third-degree burns over 33 percent of their body.

The incident happened during the initial response to the blaze. Crews from the Battle Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management were first to respond to the fire.

Both firefighters are being treated at a hospital burn center and their names are not being released at this time.

The fire started around 2 p.m. Saturday15 miles north of Battle Mountain in central Nevada, roughly the same time and near the location where a Nevada Department of Wildlife-contracted helicopter crashed.

The fire was 50 percent contained as of Monday evening.


FAA: Four people in helicopter that crashed near Battle Mountain
Sam Gross, Reno Gazette Journal Published 9:00 a.m. PT Aug. 19, 2018





This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is made available.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a helicopter crash that happened Saturday afternoon roughly 15 miles north of Battle Mountain in central Nevada.

A spokesperson for the FAA said four people were onboard the Bell B206 helicopter and that the crash happened "under unknown circumstances."


Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. The condition of the four people onboard the helicopter is unknown at this time. Firefighters are battling a 7,000-acre wildfire in the area that was discovered Saturday afternoon, but it is unclear if the two are related.

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Narrative:
The helicopter crashed and initiated a bush fire. At least one occupant sustained serious injuries.

Sources:
http://www.kolotv.com/content/news/Helicopter-crash-north-of-Battle-Mountain-starts-brush-fire-491195411.html
https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2018/08/19/faa-investigating-helicopter-crash-near-battle-mountain/1036492002/?from=new-cookie
FAA
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=8052G
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Bell-206B-3-JetRanger-III/2005503
Date: 18-AUG-2018
Time: 14:00 LT
Type:
Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III
Owner/operator: Nevada Department of Wildlife
Registration: N8052G
C/n / msn: 4050
Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Location: near Battle Mountain, NV - United States of America
Phase: Unknown
Nature: Survey
Departure airport:

Destination airport:

An explosion and subsequent fire at the foundry area at Liberty Casting in Delaware, Ohio has injured several workers

Liberty Casting Company explosion: 5 injured at Delaware, Ohio factory


WBNS-TV

Delaware, Ohio

Five people were injured Tuesday in an explosion and fire at the Liberty Casting Company in Delaware, Ohio, officials said. The victims suffered burns to their bodies and facial hair, officials said.

Fire Chief John L Donahue said operations have shut down temporarily at the factory for the investigation. The fire occurred In the foundry area of the factory, but they don't yet know exact location, cause or origin of fire. The fire department will handle the investigation.

All the people injured were third-shift employees, who were scheduled to work through the night.

Dispatchers took a call for a reported explosion at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday, CBS Columbus, Ohio affiliate WBNS-TV reports.

Donahue said when firefights arrived at the scene five minutes later, people from the plant said five people were hurt but the fire was out.

This is a breaking story and will be updated. 



The Liberty Casting Company is a modern foundry employing approximately 100 individuals. Liberty Casting is a jobbing foundry specializing in Gray, Ductile and High Alloy Iron Casting.


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Tim Woods The Columbus Dispatch @Woodsnight


August 21, 2018

Delaware, Ohio


An explosion at a Delaware foundry is believed to have injured as many as five people Tuesday night, with at least two victims reported to have serious burns.

The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at Liberty Casting, 550 S. Liberty Road, which is on the same road as the Delaware Fire Department.

A medical helicopter transported one person to Columbus with burns to his hands, back and one arm, according to a medical radio transmission.

Extra firefighters were called to help battle the fire.

Liberty Casting specializes in producing high-alloy iron castings for products such as compressors. The firm's offices are located at the foundry, but Liberty also has a finishing facility on Curtis Street in Delaware.

Company officials could not be reached late Tuesday night and no further information was available about the incident.

Two construction workers with Cleveland Construction were left dangling from the tallest building in the city of Asheville, NC after a scaffolding malfunction at the Hotel Arras project, the former BB&T building

A terrifying situation in Asheville on Monday afternoon -- two construction workers were left dangling from the tallest building in the city after a scaffolding malfunction. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — 

The state Department of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating an incident that left two construction workers dangling from Asheville’s tallest building Monday afternoon.

Cleveland Construction, Inc. serves as the Construction Manager for the adaptive reuse of the iconic 20-story BB&T Tower in Asheville, North Carolina. 

 
“The OSH Division is investigating the incident to determine what happened and whether or not any occupational safety and health standards were violated,” N.C. Department of Labor director of communications Dolores Quesenberry said in a statement.

Typically, the department only gets involved in cases where there is a worker death, hospitalization of an employee, amputation or loss of an eye.

Though the incident at the former BB&T building didn't have any of that, Quesenberry said Buncombe County is in the Special Emphasis Program.

“A program designed to decrease fatalities related to the construction industry in counties that have experienced one or more fatalities,” Quensenberry said.

News 13 also spoke with an Occupational Safety and Health Administration trainer to learn more about scaffolding safety.

Daniel Macuso, an authorized OSHA trainer, said, whenever a site has suspended scaffolding, the equipment needs to be inspected by a competent person every day.

"That's a person who has been trained and authorized by an employer to actually inspect it," Macuso said.

But it doesn’t stop there.

"Then the people working on [the scaffold] would have to be qualified,” Macuso said. ”Meaning, they are trained in the hazards and identify what the proper procedures are of that equipment."

Shaun Bowman, project manager for Cleveland Construction, the company working on the building where the scaffolding malfunctioned, said that company is also conducting an investigation on the initial cause of the scaffold malfunction.

He added that employees will stay off the scaffolds until that investigation is complete.



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2 construction workers escape injury after scaffolding platform malfunctions

by WLOS STAFF

Monday, August 20th 2018




ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A terrifying situation in Asheville on Monday afternoon -- two construction workers were left dangling from the tallest building in the city after a scaffolding malfunction.

It happened at the Hotel Arras project, the former BB&T building in the heart of downtown.

According to the Asheville Fire Department, one of the suspended scaffolding platforms at the Arras Building/former BB&T building malfunctioned and caused one side to fall on the North Lexington side of the building.

Two workers on the scaffolding were self-rescued with the assistance of other workers. The AFD said the platform has been secured to the building and the vendor has been contacted to fix the platform.


"Here we are watching two guys who could have fallen to their deaths," said Susan Prickard, who witnessed the incident with her husband.

"It seemed like forever, but was probably no more that 15-20 minutes," Robert Prickard said.

Even hours after the two workers were able to get back to safety, the Prickard’s said they were in shock.

"As a doctor in the military, I saw plenty of stuff,” Robert Prickard said. “But this was the first time I was minding my own business and not in war and some guy could have died."

We’re told first responders got the call about 2:30 p.m. By the time firefighters got to the scene, the two workers were already back in the building

"That is something we train for, have trained for, we do it in our academy training,” said Kelley Klope, with the Asheville Fire Department. “Scenarios like window washers and things like that, so we are prepared to do that. But, thankfully, today, they were able to self-rescue and we didn't have to use our skills."

"It was hair raising. In fact, it was so hair raising I had to go run and get myself a beer," Robert Prickard said. "All is well that ends well."

Cleveland Construction project manager Shaun Bowman said the scaffold has been secured. He also said the initial cause of the incident is being investigated.


======================

Cleveland Construction

We’re all over the place.

Cleveland is a national construction company specializing in general contracting, construction management, design-build, and self-performing interior trades services. What’s that all mean? Throughout our history, we’ve succeeded by providing a wide range of construction solutions to our clients and delivering a whole lot of quality work.

Family-owned, nationally known.

A band of brothers and sisters. That’s who we’ve always been, ever since we cofounded our company, along with our father, some 36 years ago in Mentor, Ohio. In the mid ‘80s, we dipped our toe into general contracting and construction management services. And it’s been full steam ahead ever since. We take pride in becoming the best construction firm in the United States.

We’re confident that, given the opportunity, our construction team members will quickly impress you with their industry expertise and passion to get the job done.

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Cleveland Construction, Inc. will serve as the Construction Manager for the adaptive reuse of the iconic 20-story BB&T Tower in Asheville, North Carolina.

The project, now named The Arras, will include a 128-room Tribute Portfolio by Starwood boutique hotel, two independent restaurants, 54 condominiums on the upper levels of the building, retail space for lease and onsite parking garage.

Construction is scheduled to begin December 2016 and will be substantially completed in Fall of 2018.

OSHA has fined M&M Industrial Construction $17,000 for six safety violations, including lack of fall protection, that led to the death of worker Rafael Ayala Orozco, 39, when he fell about 60 feet from a platform at CPI dry fertilizer plant construction site near Hastings, Nebraska

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — 

A Hastings construction company has been fined for safety violations following the death of a worker there earlier this year.


Television station KSNB reports that the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined M&M Industrial Construction $17,000 for six safety violations that investigators say led to the man's death.

Rafael Ayala Orozco, of Grand Island, died Jan. 26 when he fell about 60 feet from a platform at a fertilizer plant construction site near Hastings.

An OSHA investigation determined that the 39-year-old Orozco was not using fall protection at the time of his death. OSHA says the company violated federal safety codes covering use of aerial lifts, use of hoists and rigging, training and fall protection.

OSHA says M&M Industrial has since taken steps to comply with federal regulations.

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HASTINGS, Neb. — 

A man died in Hastings after falling from a structure at a construction site near Cooperative Producers Inc. at 265 N. Showboat Blvd. on Friday, according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies say a 911 call came in around 3:50 p.m., with someone reporting a man, identified as Rafael Ayala Orozco of Grand Island, had fallen about 80 feet to the ground.

Fire and rescue crews were reported at the scene at around 4 p.m.

The Adams County Sheriff's Office said authorities are still investigating the incident, and more details will be available soon.

The site is believed to be the future location of CPI's dry fertilizer plant with a targeted completion date of spring of 2018.

The plant is expected to house a 42,000-ton storage facility that will have the ability to load a 24-ton semi in less than 8 minutes through a 400-ton blending tower.


CPI's chief executive officer, Allan Zumpfe, said Friday that the person involved in the incident was a construction worker employed by a subcontractor. 



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Obituary for Rafael Ayala Orozco 

Rafael Ayala Orozco, 39 of Grand Island died Friday, January 26, 2018 as a result of a workplace accident in Hastings.

Rafael was born January 12, 1979 in Mexico the son of Rafael Ayala Magaña and Lidia Orozco.

Survivors include his wife, Estefania “Stephanie” Hernandez Lira; their daughters, Magaby and Angellique; his parents; brother, Miguel and sisters, Ana and Silvia.

Rafael enjoyed hard work and took great care of his family. He enjoyed cooking and loved the time spent with his daughters.