Inside The House
>
here's some of the people and equiptment of the Ida Fire Department
Ida Fire Department
At A Practice Burn
A Few Of Ida's Trucks
IDA FIREMEN IN ACTION
As Reported By The Monroe Evening News
February 16, 2003
Explosion destroys home in Raisinville - 02/15/2003
Monrow Evening News staff writer
By RAY KISONAS
An explosion and ensuing fireball fueled by natural gas spewing from a severed line quickly engulfed a home and damaged five others at a manufactured home community in Raisinville Township Saturday afternoon.
One woman suffered minor injuries and officials were amazed no one was seriously hurt in the massive fire at the Raisin Ridge manufactured home community off S. Custer Rd. west of S. Raisinville Rd.
Many residents were evacuated as crews worked to turn off gas that was feeding flames that shot 30 feet into the sky.
“It was a big boom,” said Missy Kemme, who lives across the street from the blast. “My whole house just shook.”
“Instantly, it was a big fire,” added Fred Plichta, who lives nearby. “The cloud of smoke was as long as my house.”
Television cable workers were working on an underground line at the scene when the fire ignited. However, Kate Ebli, area vice president of Comcast Cable, stopped short of saying that the contract workers damaged the gas line.
“We had contract workers on site,” Ms. Ebli said Saturday night. “We’re deeply concerned for anyone who was injured and regret any property damage.”
Paul Livernois, director of community relations with Aquila, said he was certain the gas line was accidentally severed during the drilling.
“It was damaged,” Mr. Livernois said. “The people doing the directional boring caused this incident.”
Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene about 3:30 p.m. and found the home filled with flames. The house reportedly belonged to Norma Trout, who was home and managed to escape with minor burns. Her daughter reportedly drove her to the hospital for treatment.
Community residents flocked to the scene only to find heavy black smoke and flames filling the sky.
“It was a loud explosion,” said Dan Crabtree, who lives about four or fives houses away. “It was still standing, but fully engulfed. It wasn’t blown to bits.”
The siding on five nearby homes was melted and buckled. Only charred remains were left of the Trout home. For up to two hours after the blast, huge flames fed by the escaping gas burned nearby. Gas crews who were on the scene immediately began digging a hole in an attempt to reach and repair the gas lines. But the ground was frozen, hampering the work. Firemen sprayed water on the ground to help in the digging.
In the meantime, firefighters went from home to home turning off the gas from outside valves and many residents were evacuated.
Tina Heller was driving through the neighborhood trying to find visitors who were supposed to come to her daughter’s birthday party, but the community was sealed off at the entrance.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “I’ve got a clown that’s supposed to be here.”
Olivia Diehl, an evacuee, lives across the street from the scene of the blast and was preparing dinner when she heard the explosion. She was in her vehicle and decided to leave the area and visit her mother until things settled down.
“I thought someone ran into my trailer,” she said.
Capt. Paul Metz of the Ida Township Volunteer Fire Department, the scene commander, said he and other firefighters evacuated at least 15 to 25 homes. State police from the Monroe post and sheriff’s deputies also evacuated at least that many more.
About two hours after the four-alarm fire ignited, crews were able to reach a gas line and turn off the supply. Mr. Livernois of Aquila said Saturday night about 20 homes were without gas, but all were expected to have their service back on by 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Considering what happened, that’s pretty decent,” he said.
The fire was at the corner of Ryan’s Ridge and Steven’s Trail in the manufactured home community, which has 220 homes. Ron Blank, owner of Raisin Ridge, was on the scene and said the company had reserved rooms at a local hotel if any of the residents needed them.
“Obviously our first concern is for the residents,” Mr. Blank said. “We’re here to do whatever we can. I’ve been in this business 20 years and this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It’s just unbelievable.”
The Story Of The Restoration Of Ida's 1938 Fire Truck
UPDATED JUNE 16, 2003
A Few Of Ida's Trucks
IDA FIREMEN IN ACTION
As Reported By The Monroe Evening News
February 16, 2003
Explosion destroys home in Raisinville - 02/15/2003
Monrow Evening News staff writer
By RAY KISONAS
An explosion and ensuing fireball fueled by natural gas spewing from a severed line quickly engulfed a home and damaged five others at a manufactured home community in Raisinville Township Saturday afternoon.
One woman suffered minor injuries and officials were amazed no one was seriously hurt in the massive fire at the Raisin Ridge manufactured home community off S. Custer Rd. west of S. Raisinville Rd.
Many residents were evacuated as crews worked to turn off gas that was feeding flames that shot 30 feet into the sky.
“It was a big boom,” said Missy Kemme, who lives across the street from the blast. “My whole house just shook.”
“Instantly, it was a big fire,” added Fred Plichta, who lives nearby. “The cloud of smoke was as long as my house.”
Television cable workers were working on an underground line at the scene when the fire ignited. However, Kate Ebli, area vice president of Comcast Cable, stopped short of saying that the contract workers damaged the gas line.
“We had contract workers on site,” Ms. Ebli said Saturday night. “We’re deeply concerned for anyone who was injured and regret any property damage.”
Paul Livernois, director of community relations with Aquila, said he was certain the gas line was accidentally severed during the drilling.
“It was damaged,” Mr. Livernois said. “The people doing the directional boring caused this incident.”
Dozens of firefighters rushed to the scene about 3:30 p.m. and found the home filled with flames. The house reportedly belonged to Norma Trout, who was home and managed to escape with minor burns. Her daughter reportedly drove her to the hospital for treatment.
Community residents flocked to the scene only to find heavy black smoke and flames filling the sky.
“It was a loud explosion,” said Dan Crabtree, who lives about four or fives houses away. “It was still standing, but fully engulfed. It wasn’t blown to bits.”
The siding on five nearby homes was melted and buckled. Only charred remains were left of the Trout home. For up to two hours after the blast, huge flames fed by the escaping gas burned nearby. Gas crews who were on the scene immediately began digging a hole in an attempt to reach and repair the gas lines. But the ground was frozen, hampering the work. Firemen sprayed water on the ground to help in the digging.
In the meantime, firefighters went from home to home turning off the gas from outside valves and many residents were evacuated.
Tina Heller was driving through the neighborhood trying to find visitors who were supposed to come to her daughter’s birthday party, but the community was sealed off at the entrance.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” she said. “I’ve got a clown that’s supposed to be here.”
Olivia Diehl, an evacuee, lives across the street from the scene of the blast and was preparing dinner when she heard the explosion. She was in her vehicle and decided to leave the area and visit her mother until things settled down.
“I thought someone ran into my trailer,” she said.
Capt. Paul Metz of the Ida Township Volunteer Fire Department, the scene commander, said he and other firefighters evacuated at least 15 to 25 homes. State police from the Monroe post and sheriff’s deputies also evacuated at least that many more.
About two hours after the four-alarm fire ignited, crews were able to reach a gas line and turn off the supply. Mr. Livernois of Aquila said Saturday night about 20 homes were without gas, but all were expected to have their service back on by 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Considering what happened, that’s pretty decent,” he said.
The fire was at the corner of Ryan’s Ridge and Steven’s Trail in the manufactured home community, which has 220 homes. Ron Blank, owner of Raisin Ridge, was on the scene and said the company had reserved rooms at a local hotel if any of the residents needed them.
“Obviously our first concern is for the residents,” Mr. Blank said. “We’re here to do whatever we can. I’ve been in this business 20 years and this is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It’s just unbelievable.”