At approximately 7:30 AM Saturday, August 19^th, 2000 East Side Fire Department was dispatched to a reported apartment fire at St Jean Apartments on South Harrell's Ferry Rd.

ESFD's first out engine pulled out of the station within 30 seconds of the dispatch and arrived at the scene approximately 5 minutes after receiving the initial call.  Upon arrival, ESFD's first due engine company found heavy smoke showing from a 2^nd story apartment with flames showing through the roof.

A quick and aggressive interior attack was successful and the fire was brought under control within 15 minutes.  Due to ESFD's  use of Class-A fire fighting foam, the fire was extinguished using less than 1000 gallons of water limiting water damage to the rest of the structure.

ESFD would like to thank the St. George and District 6 Fire Departments for their help with personnel and equipment.  We would also like to thank our "red shirt" volunteers for their help with support and rehab assistance.  

Upon arrival, heavy smoke conditions were showing on the east side of the structure..   This picture shows the non-fire area venting heavy smoke. A 360° inspection of the structure showed heavy smoke and fire venting from the roof and windows on the north side of the structure as well.

Note the heavy black smoke coming from a bedroom window as the bedding material burns.

Fire extension into the attic also caused concern as this could allow the fire to spread into other apartments.  Aggressive efforts to contain the fire limited actual fire damage to the single apartment of fire origin.

Effects of Positive Pressure Ventilation or PPV.  PPV uses a high power fan to pressurize the interior of the structure to force heat and smoke out of the building.  This not only clears some of the smoke, it also helps reduce the temperature increasing firefighter safety.  Note the fire being pushed out of the window as the interior attack progresses.

In this picture, you will see that the heavy black smoke and flames have changed to a lighter color smoke due to the application of water and foam to the fire. 

After the fire had been "blacked down" or partially extinguished, Captain Toma uses hydraulic ventilation to assist the PPV to remove some heat and smoke.  Above, you can see the stream of water pushing the smoke (right side of the picture) from a bedroom window.

As more of the main body of fire was extinguished, smoke continued to vent.