Fire In The Basement: What are your attack options?

[CKirk922]

Upon arrival, if you observe fire in the basement of a residential structure fire, what are some attack strategies and tactics you might use?

I know opinions might vary between a modern stick build, a balloon frame, or concrete structure, but give me a sense of your concerns and approaches to address those concerns in your first due area.

[Eng34FF]

A good number of the basements around here have walk-outs. Attacking through the walk-out with a line protecting the interior starwell is the preferred approach. If no walk out, we try to make the stairs down and attack that way. If not possible, cellar nozzles are sometimes available or cutting a hole in the floor/ceiling.

Venting is done either through windows to the basement or cutting a hole in the floor near a window.

We also have a lot of split foyers. The lower leve is fought just like any other residence since at least half is usually above grade and has openings (window or a doorway). They also usually have a garage attached to the lower level that provides an entrance.

[mikeyboy411]

Basement Fires

Just like Eng34FF told ya, but also a nozzle can be put into a window if the fire is relatively close and accessible.

Another idea is use a penetrating nozzle through the floor.

If your able to make access to the door that leads to the basement, control it just as you would a main entry door. Prepare and know that when you open the door it's gonna act like a chimney and blow the heat on ya.

I've heard and read that High Expansion Foam is also an option but I've never actually used this option. Seems to make sense how it would work in theory.

My 1st entry option/thought is the walk-in/drive-in door with an additional line above as long as the floor joists are secure and safe to operate on.

[GTRider245]

FIT-5. No doubt.

[len1582]

I responded as 2nd due truck(officer+3FFs) last week to a basement fire. As soon as the first engine said "2-story frame, fire in the basement" I thought it could run the walls. We went to the roof and only flipped the scuttle, not wanting to do more damage than needed at this time. After the initial burst of smoke it cleared somewhat. 2-3 minutes the engine in the basement said fire pretty much knocked down. Another 2-3 minutes the smoke started getting thicker and pushing from the scuttle. Ladder co inside said "fire's running the walls." We now broke out the skylight and I told my saw guy to cut the roof and pointed to a spot away from our ladder. The cut was done and half pulled by the time fire's blowing out of the scuttle. As fire vented out the hole we cut, we made our way off the roof.

As you said, it depends on the construction. The basement was gutted pretty good. There was little fire damage on the 1st and 2nd floor apartments. The kockloft was completely roasted front to back, side to side.

Basement fires can travel big time. There's a need to anticipate fire spread. If there are open bays for water, sewer, electric lines, etc the fire can run up any and all 4 sides. Open up above the fire and get lines in place.

You should anticipate fire in the loft, possibly the top floor apartment also.Top ventilation is important. Scuttle/skylight will vent the public hall and/or living area only, not the actual building itself. The scuttle here went down into a closet in the top floor apartment, not the public hall. That's why it was nailed down. In balloon construction you need to anticipate cutting the roof. There are mostly 2 and 3 story frames in my area that are 80+ years old. Many basement fires have ended up with the roofs cut because the fire was running the walls before we even got there. Don't think you never cut the roof if the fires not on the top floor.

[nameless]

stay outside and wait until the fire shows itself to our exterior lines. At least we'll go home at the end of our shift...

[len1582]

stay outside and wait until the fire shows itself to our exterior lines. At least we'll go home at the end of our shift...

Do you have attached buildings in your area?

[nameless]

yes we do, but we hide behind the guise of safety to explain why our cowardice led to unnecessary loss of property and/or lives.

[FyredUp]

Okay...

All kidding aside if my FD had a DPSA FIT and the basement fire was fairly advanced I just might give it a shot. If it knocks it down fantastic. If not we still have water.

I saw it work and believe that there are circumstances where its use has potential.

With out that, this would be my plan. Have the attack crew ready at the basement entrance door. Have a vent crew ready to take out basement windows opposite the entry side. Have a PPV fan at the basement entry door. When every one is set, take out the windows, open the door, let the fan push the heat and smoke to the vent openings, then QUICKLY descend the stairs and knockdown the fire.

Of course after that checking for extension on the upper floors is a must.

I have used this tactic and it worked fine with no extension.

[Chenzo]

FIT-5. No doubt.

You jest, but I would attempt it. Even if it just knocks the fire back enough to open the door and peer down/get down the stairs with a nozzle. Based on what I saw when the guy demo'd it for us, I'd give it a shot. A chief from a department in WI deployed one on a basement fire and it worked.

[Squad1LT]

Like was said before on any good basement fire in a balloon frame you will likely be opening the roof. Sometimes you can hit the fire from the landing in the basement stairs if it is open or knock some drywall out and hit it alittle bit before going down. Also use a TIC to watch the ceiling so you dont have fire go over you and cut off your exit.

[ffmedcbk1]

i have a mix of old and new construction in my areas.

first off "newer homes": don't like them. mostly mcmansions with glu-lam ibeams. DANGEROUS! if there is a walkout access we will use it. find the location of the fire and the best access point too. if needing interior access, we proceed until we think it is weakened, which happens anytime of those beams that they are heated (yikes). they are a minimum of a 3 line fire (primary basement attack, basement attack back-up, 1st floor extension line) we will vent the baement windows when the 1st line gets inplace. this may not be able to be hit from outside (until it gets bigger) due to layout and shear size of the mcmansions.

old construction mostly platform: find location and access. line to the fire, line to the 1st floor. vent windows when the first line is ready. get to it and put it out, attic is a concern but not as much as if it is balloon.

[rescuedawg]

Most of our basements have exterior doors. Vent by opening those while sending hose team with a CAFS line down the interior stairs. Knock it down quick with a 2 1/2. If ballooon start opening and looking for fire going up.

[dmleblanc]

What's a basement?

[Acklan]

What's a basement?

I thnk that is where the bilge pump and sea chest are located.