Real life backdraft caught on video

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/03/video-catches-backdraft-that-injures-4-chicago-firefighters.html

dang that was big

I quit watching........they were either not a properly trained FD or they like to break rules. The axeman at the door had no business being there, I sure hope no one got seriously hurt.

As a side note, that house should have been vented from the roof.

Absolutely Brian....Verticle ventilation with a coordinated interior hoseline would have done wonders with that fire... but not knowing the fireload or conditions of a boarded up seemingly abandoned structure might make me think Defensive Exterior attack only!

Oh....and some more use of breathing apparatus would be good too!! Only saw maybe 6 of the 12 or so folks having them on.

Absolutely Brian....Verticle ventilation with a coordinated interior hoseline would have done wonders with that fire... but not knowing the fireload or conditions of a boarded up seemingly abandoned structure might make me think Defensive Exterior attack only!

Oh....and some more use of breathing apparatus would be good too!! Only saw maybe 6 of the 12 or so folks having them on.

Totally agreed Larry, but I don't think that house was abandoned as much as it was being remodeled.  That looks like a new kitchen/bath window and the patio door opening was roughed in and replaced with an entrance door.  As far as roof venting, if they were to go that way, and extension ladder to a sidewall eave and hook ladder to the ridge towards one of the gable ends.  Heck, if they would have left that gable window work for them for a while they would have been okay.  Dude on ladder needs a refresher too, hope that department can use this for training vid.

As far as SCBA, aside  from what you see in my avatar pic, I don't wear them as much as I should.  That's where I need a kick once and a while.

By the time the tank reaches breach temperature the guy is a gonner anyways....but the tanks are hydrostat tested every 3-5 years if memory serves...and regular service and maintenance keep only the best stuff in service...now the rapid heat exposure these guys saw can cause a catastrphic failure in any equipment.

Concussion and accelleration/decelleration seem to be the biggest reason for failure if maintenence is intact.

Being a West-Coastie we have been conditioned through threat of termination and by L&I that any smoke / vapor environment will be a scenario for SCBA.....kind of overkill on big warehouse / apartment complexes but had gotten used to it.

My dad has been a volunteer since he was 16 and luckily never experienced this. He has always warned me about it though if I were ever in a house fire.

I've always wondered this, so while I have you two here.......

Isn't it scary entering a fire with an O2 tank on your back.

b

(seems a bit 'suicide bomber'-ish)

If your claustrophobic, you had better get over it while wearing one of these; especially if your going into the unknown.  Without them, one good gulp and it' pretty much the ball game.  And I agree with Larry, if the tank goes, your past caring anyways.

FWIW, these tanks are filled with compressed air not oxygen.  Old style steel tanks usually held about 1800psi and the newer composite tanks hold 3400psi and more.  What's interesting is putting two tanks with the same amount of air on two different people and running them through the same scenerios.  One man may get 35 minutes out of his tank and the other may only get 17 minutes. 

My dad has been a volunteer since he was 16 and luckily never experienced this. He has always warned me about it though if I were ever in a house fire.

Good for him Nick, wish there were more like him that volunteered, no one has "time" anymore. Now it's your turn my friend! 8-)

I was a 17 minute guy.....

My old department is doing a recruit class now...gonna swing by and look at the fresh meat!!

HaHa, I used to be pretty good at conserving air, but those days are long gone.

Good one Brent! ;D