PVFD : Incidents

incidents public relations

Thursday, December 14, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a MVC at the intersection of Providence Road and Hemby Road. Both vehicles involved left the roadway and one struck a utility pole splitting it in half. Initially, all parties on scene either refused transport by EMS or denied injuries. While awaiting the wrecker service to remove the vehicle from the pole, three subjects who had been in the van began to complain of neck and back pain. Union EMS was summoned back to the scene and all three patients were placed in full spinal protocol and transported to local hospitals by Union EMS. NCSHP investigated.

Thursday, December 14, 2006 - Just six days after a MVC at the intersection of Matthews-Weddington and Hemby Roads, another MVC occurred involving a Nissan Pathfinder SUV that was T-boned by a cement mixer truck. The driver of the SUV was severely pinned inside his vehicle with two feet of intrusion into the passenger compartment. Squad 32 was first on scene and Deputy Chief Banick confirmed the pin-in. E-321 arrived and crews began extrication while the driver and his passenger (who was free and ambulatory on scene) were treated by Union EMS. After a 30 minute extrication, the driver was placed in full spinal protocol and transported by Union EMS to CMC in Charlotte. Given the severity of the damage, the driver appeared to have only minor injuries and was stable during scene exam. NCSHP investigated.

Friday, December 8, 2006 - While E-321 was at the Siskey YMCA for PT, a three vehicle MVC occurred within sight of our fire station at the intersection of Matthews-Weddington Road and Hemby Road. After impact, one of the vehicles caught fire and spread to the second vehicle. Upon E-321's arrival, an 1 3/4" line was deployed to extinguish the vehicles. The intersection was closed by the Union County Sheriff's Dept. until the NCSHP could arrive to investigate. Due to below freezing conditions, water used to extinguish the fire froze on the roadway and NCDOT had to send out a sand truck to treat the roadway and prevent any other collisions. The fire suppression was hampered by magnesium in the engine compartment of a a Chevy Silverado pick-up involved in the incident. Surprisingly, no one was injured in the collision and all drivers escaped the vehicles before the fire spread.

Thursday, December 7, 2006 - Providence VFD was requested for mutual aid by Wesley Chapel VFD for an MVC involving an overturned vehicle and an entrapped driver. Squad 32, Engine 321, and Chief Wheeler responded. Squad 32 assisted with stabilizing the vehicle and extricating the driver. E-321 and Chief Wheeler established a landing zone for CMC Med Center 1 helicopter that would transport the driver once extricated. Union EMS also transported a pediatric patient from the same vehicle to CMC in Charlotte. NCSHP investigated the collision.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to a report of a transformer on fire. While in route, Duty Officer Capt. Ansley noted a large column of smoke coming from the general direction of the given address. Dispatch informed that the fire also involved brush and was threatening a structure. The assignment was upgraded and Carolina VFD, Matthews VFD and a box alarm assignment from the Charlotte FD were added. Upon arrival, E-321 found an in ground transformer burning due to being struck by a vehicle that ran off of the road ripping it from the ground. The grass/brush fire was contained with a 1 3/4" hand line and the transformer fire was extinguished with a dry-chem extinguisher. The driver of the vehicle was not injured but the area of the neighborhood was without electric and phone service for several hours until repairs were completed. CMPD investigated.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched with Wesley Chapel VFD for a reported structure fire. The first arriving engine from WCVFD reported a working fire with heavy involvement in the "A" division. Providence E-321 was second in and the crew provided the initial attack and rapid knockdown saving the remainder of the house. E-321 also provided it's water supply to the WCVFD engine used for attack. Waxhaw VFD and Mineral Springs VFD also responded and assisted with ventilation, salvage and overhaul. The majority of damage was confined to the room of origin and the roof area above it.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to assist Wesley Chapel VFD with a MVC with one driver reported entrapped. Arriving units found two vehicles off the roadway and all occupants free but shaken. Union EMS evaluated all parties and transported several patients for evaluation. Providence companies were released as WCVFD units remained on scene while NCSHP investigated.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Providence VFD was requested to assist a citizen on Antioch Church Road whose horse had fallen in a shallow dry creek bed. The request was made by a Wesley Chapel firefighter who lives across from the scene had been called by the neighbor to try and help rescue the horse. Engine 321, Squad 32 and Brush 326 responded to the scene as well as several members in POV's. Union County Sheriff's Department and Animal Control were on scene as well. A 2 1/2" hose was slid under the horse and the plan was to place a second hose and then attach both to a tractor to lift the animal. After placing the first hose underneath, the horse became restless and personnel attempted to lift the horse using the hose and reins. The horse stumbled and fell back down a few feet away. After a few minutes, a second attempt was made and the horse got its footing and walked away. The owner had contacted her veterinarian and the horse was examined later in the day.

Early morning, Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to an MVC involving a single vehicle vs. a utility pole in the 5800 block of Hemby Road about one-half mile from the Providence VFD Station. A first arriving FF in POV found an unconscious driver pinned in the vehicle. Squad 32 and Engine 321 responded and performed the extrication of the lone occupant. Due to the patients condition, Med Center Air from Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte was requested to transport the patient to the trauma center after extrication. Wesley Chapel VFD was requested to set up a landing zone beside the Providence VFD station. After a 30 minute extrication, the patient was loaded into the on scene Union EMS unit and transported to the LZ. Union Electric Company was requested and responded to replace the utility pole severely damage in the accident.

Sunday, September 10, 2006 - Providence VFD was requested for mutual aid to Pineville and Carolina VFD's who were on the scene of a working fire involving two houses. Engine 321 responded with a full crew for manpower and assisted with salvage and overhaul operations at the scene. The fire began in a vehicle parked in the garage of one home and spread to the exposure home to the right. Both fires were contained fairly quickly and both structures can be repaired. The occupants of the fire origin home escaped without injury and the occupants of the exposure house were not away from home at the Carolina Panthers game at the time of the fire. One firefighter suffered heat-related injuries and was treated on scene by MEDIC but not transported. CFD Engine and Ladder 32 also provided mutual aid assistance.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to assist Wesley Chapel VFD with a working structure fire in the 7400 block of New Town Road. First arriving WCFD units reported a fully involved structure on the ground. The structure was approximately 20' x 30' and was a total loss. Providence VFD supplied water, manpower and equipment to WCVFD. The fire was investigated by the Union County Fire Marshall's Office.

Photos not available.

Early morning, Saturday, August 5, 2006 - Providence VFD and Union County EMS were dispatched to an MVC with unknown injuries and a vehicle on fire in the 4700 block of Matthews-Weddington Road. Assistant Chief Banick was first to arrive and reported fire involving the engine compartment. Engine 323 arrived and confirmed a pin-in. The fire had spread to the passenger compartment and was extinguished so responders could assess the victim and check for other occupants. The driver of the vehicle was the only occupant and was pronounced dead on arrival. He had sustained multiple traumatic injuries and was severely pinned in the wreckage. The North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated the incident and the victim was extricated by Providence members after the investigation was completed. There were no other vehicles involved in this incident.

Friday, August 4, 2006 - Providence VFD responded with Charlotte Fire Department Engine and Tanker #9 and MEDIC for a reported MVC with vehicle fire on the inner loop of I-485 Hwy. between Providence Road and Rea Road. Engine #9 arrived to find a fully involved vehicle and the occupant out of the car. Providence Engine 3, Tanker 4 and Brush 6 assisted Station 9 units in suppression and patient care. The driver was transported by MEDIC with minor injuries. The vehicle had been towing a trailer loaded with heavy pieces of concrete and bricks. The weight in the trailer apparently caused the driver to lose control and run off of the highway. The heat from the vehicles exhaust system ignited the dry grass and brush.

Tuesday, August 1, 2006 - Providence VFD and MEDIC responded to a report of an MVC with rollover on the Outer Loop of I-485 near Providence Road. The first arriving MEDIC unit found a single vehicle on its side with a total of five patients all requiring spinal immobilization. Two additional MEDIC units were requested as well as mutual aid from Charlotte Fire Engine #9 for manpower and patient care. All five patients were transported to two trauma centers and survived with only minor injuries.

Friday, June 30, 2006 - Providence VFD and MEDIC responded to a single vehicle MVC in the median of I-485 Outer Loop near Providence Road. Upon arrival, the driver had exited the vehicle and had no complaints or injuries. Due to the vehicle striking several of the cable barrier posts, the fuel tank had ruptured leaking gas onto the median. When NCSHP arrived, it was determined that the driver was driving under the influence and had no drivers licence. He was placed in custody and taken to the Mecklenburg County Jail. Providence VFD remained on scene until the vehicle was removed by the wrecker service to ensure no further problems arose from the gas spill.

Thursday, June 15, 2006 - Providence VFD and MEDIC responded to a MVC off the roadway. Arriving units found a vehicle that had lost control just as it entered the off ramp. The car travelled approximately 75' before striking an embankment and going airborne into the woods. The driver escaped with no injuries but had a wild ride to tell about!

Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a report of a fully involved vehicle fire in the parking lot of Harris Teeter located at 13639 Providence Road in Weddington. Engine 323 arrived to find heavy fire involving a 1991 Ford Ranger pick-up truck. The driver stated that he was driving to the shopping center and thought he saw smoke from the area around the gear shifter. He went into a store and when returned to the lot, found his vehicle on fire. The fire was quickly knocked down and no other vehicles or property sustained damage.

Early morning, Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a report of a single vehicle MVC off of the roadway vs. a tree. Arriving units found a Chevrolet Avalanche that had run off the roadway and collided with a tree. The driver had only minor injuries thank to wearing the seatbelt and the vehicle's airbags. The driver was treated on scene by Union EMS and refused transport. The driver stated to NCSHP that a deer ran in front of the vehicle causing them to lose control.

Friday, June 2, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a report of a tractor-trailer overturned on Interstate 485 Inner Loop near Providence Road. Upon arrival, units found a box-style cargo truck overturned in the median. The driver had crawled from the vehicle and reported only minor injuries and was refusing transport. MEDIC proceeded to the scene to evaluate the patient and obtain the refusal. There were no spills or hazards and the scene was left with NC DOT IMAP and NCSHP.

Friday evening, May 12, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a report of a vehicle overturned with no injuries on Interstate 485 Outer Loop near Providence Road. Arriving units found a large camper overturned blocking both lanes of the interstate. The camper had been towed by a SUV when it began to sway causing a jackknife and overturning. The SUV was still attached to the camper and was suspended in the air. Providence VFD stabilized the vehicle and used high pressure airbags to lift it to a neutral point where the chains and connections suspending it could be cut. The vehicle was safely lowered to the ground and a towing company up righted the camper to clear the highway. Traffic was backed up for several miles into the night due to the closure.

Monday, May 1, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a report of a MVC with one overturned on Matthews-Weddington Road near the Union/Mecklenburg line. Upon arrival, the incident was determined to be inside Charlotte City limits. CFD did not respond due to numerous incidents at the time and allowed Providence VFD to mitigate the incident. There was only one patient who had been driving the overturned van. The patient had crawled from the vehicle through the windshield and was being stabilized by bystanders on arrival. The patient was placed in spinal protocol and packaged for transport when Mecklenburg EMS arrived.

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - Providence VFD responded with Wesley Chapel VFD for a possible structure fire in the Hunter Oaks Subdivision in Weddington. Arriving units found an extinguished brush fire that had spread to the exterior vinyl siding of the home. There were no witnesses to the start of the fire but some neighborhood juveniles were suspected. The Union County Sheriff's Office and the Union County Fire Marshal's Office investigated.

Thursday, April 20, 2006 - A passerby knocked on the station door notifying the on duty crew of a MVC at the intersection of Hemby Road and Matthews-Weddington Road just 200 yards from the station. Firefighters arrived to find a BMW sedan that had collided with a cement mixing truck. The cement truck swerved in a failed attempt to avoid the car and after impact, traveled off road striking a pole holding flashing warning lights bringing lines down across the roadway. The truck came to rest just feet from a pole carrying high voltage lines. The driver of the BMW pulled into the path of the truck because he thought that the intersection was a four-way stop when it is only a two-way stop. The driver of the car was transported to the hospital with very minor injuries. The truck driver was not injured.

Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - Providence VFD was requested for mutual aid from Matthews VFD on scene of a large brush fire in a heavily wooded area between a neighborhood and Interstate 485. Providence Engine #2, Brush #6 and Tanker #4 responded. Engine #2 and Tanker #4 were directed to I-485 at the exit ramp for East John Street where Matthews Engine #1 was set up and operating. Ladders had to be placed against the noise barriers and hose lines placed at the top of the wall extinguishing fire below. Ground crews attacked from the neighborhood side with several brush units including Providence Brush #6. The fire was started by juveniles playing with fire and was investigated by Matthews Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's Office.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - Providence VFD responded mutual aid to Stallings VFD for a reported house fire. Stallings Engine #20 arrived to find heavy fire and smoke from the "A-B" division of the house. Providence Engine #322 arrived and provided manpower assisting with the secondary attack line. Hemby Bridge VFD also responded to this incident which was controlled quickly and contained to the areas affected on arrival. This was the fourth structure fire in seven days for Providence VFD.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to assist Wesley Chapel VFD with a report of smoke in the area on Woodland Forest Drive near the South Carolina state line. Several Wesley Chapel units were still on the scene of a working fire that occurred earlier that day. While in route, information was received of a possible house fire at the location. Upon arrival, a two-story log frame home was fifty-percent involved in fire. Providence Engine #322 was first in laying 1100' of 5" supply line for tanker operations due to a lack of hydrants in the area. Waxhaw Engine #18 was second in and established drop tank operations. Crew members from Waxhaw attempted to make entry with the primary attack line but were forced back due to ceiling collapse occurring just inside the front door. Defensive operations were put in place and the fire was eventually controlled but not without substantial property loss. No firefighters were injured during the incident.

Sunday, March 5, 2006 - Providence VFD with mutual aid from Wesley Chapel VFD responded to a brush fire behind a home on Bounty Court near the Union County/Mecklenburg County Line. A resident was burning yard debris in a right-of-way clearing and due to extremely dry and low humidity conditions, the fire quickly got out of control. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained to the right-of-way.

Friday, February 24, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched by Union County Communications for a brush fire on Matthews-Weddington Road near the Mecklenburg County line. As Chief Wheeler exited his neighborhood onto Matthews-Weddington Road, he discovered the fire between a neighbors home and the roadway. Charlotte Fire Engine #9 and Tanker #9 were also in route due to the fire being inside Charlotte City limits. Providence Engine #2 and Brush #6 assisted Charlotte companies in extinguishing the fire. Two yards and several fences were damaged and the fire was found to have begun from a lit cigarette falling on extremely dry grass allowing for rapid fire spread.

Early morning Friday, February 10, 2006 - Providence VFD was dispatched to assist Wesley Chapel VFD for a report of smoke detector activation and odor of smoke in a residence on Cottonfield Circle in Weddington. Upon arrival, a working fire was discovered in the walls and attic of the house. The fire was controlled within an hour and was found to have started behind a fireplace insert in the home. The residents had burned a fire in the fireplace that evening and embers got into structural components and started the fire.

Sunday, February 5, 2006 - Providence VFD and Carolina VFD responded to a report of smoke and flames from the roof of On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina located at 10710 Providence Road near the intersection of Interstate 485. Charlotte Fire Engine #9 also responded simultaneously from a walk-in report of the same to their station. Upon arrival, nothing was visible from the exterior. Further investigation revealed an extinguished fire that began behind a fryer and spread through the hood system up to the ventilation fan on the roof. The ventilation hood was destroyed and had to be replaced. The restaurant closed for the remainder of the day. The following morning, a similar incident occurred shutting down the restaurant until that evening. The next day(Tuesday, February 7th) another fire began in the same location activating the hood suppression system. The restaurant was once again closed and finally a contractor was brought in to thoroughly clean the fryer and hood to like new standards. There have not been any incidents since and the restaurant now has a regular contract for cleaning the equipment.

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - Providence VFD responded to a MVC in the 6700 block of Matthews-Weddington Road. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the driver of one vehicle was entrapped. Rescue protocol was initiated and Providence Squad 32 responded. The patient was extricated by Providence VFD with assistance from Wesley Chapel VFD. Union EMS transported the victim with non-life threatening injuries.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - Construction workers remodeling a grocery store in Weddington struck a natural gas line behind the building with a backhoe. Air monitoring inside the structure revealed no gas inside the building. Providence VFD isolated the area until the gas company arrived and controlled leak.

On the morning of Friday, December 29, 2005, Providence VFD and Carolina VFD were dispatched to a fire alarm activation at Romano's Macaroni Grill located at 10706 Providence Road near the intersection of Interstate 485. While in route, crews were advised that the Charlotte Fire Department was also responding to a report of a restaurant fire in the same area. Charlotte Engine #9 arrived first to find smoke coming from the restaurant. After forcing entry, fire was discovered around the grill and hood above it. An initial attack knocked down the visible fire and it appeared to be under control. Unknown to all crews on scene was that the fire had spread to a void area between the interior ceiling and the roof. During salvage and overhaul, heavy smoke began appearing from multiple areas of the roof. A second alarm was struck and the final damage was much more extensive than any had anticipated. Companies on scene worked for a total of six hours to protect a majority of the structure and only two months after the fire, the restaurant reopened for business. Photos from the incident are below.