Video: Ladder hits power lines. Rowhomes burn in Rankin, Pennsylvania.
Click here for a WTAE-TV story that catches the flash & the startled people when the ladder hits the lines
Raw chopper video of fire
Firefighter Close Calls has the story of a ladder coming in contact with power lines at a rowhouse fire in Rankin, Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The videos above and below show the large amount of wires around the buildings that appear to be potential problems for those placing ground ladders and operating aerial devices.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has details on firefighter injuries at the blaze:
Two Swissvale firefighters suffered first- and second-degree burns when, having entered the burning apartment, escaped through a plate glass window as flames blew from the rear of the apartment to the front where they had been standing, Chief Brucker said.
Shortly after, a fireman’s ladder touched wires from a utility pole, leading to two electrical explosions at the scene, Rankin police Chief Ryan Wooten said.
One of the ladder trucks came in contact with a power line when firefighters began focusing their attack on the outside of the homes, and witnesses said they heard loud cracks of electricity.
“We were extraordinarily lucky … that nobody was electrocuted during that time,” said Allegheny County Emergency Chief Bob Full.
This video might cause a pain in the neck because most of it was shot with the camera on its side.
