This happened today. I don’t know these guys but I’m sure someone here does. Someone died, but some sites still have him nameless.
The fire broke out on Genesee and East End just after 1pm. “We saw heavy fire conditions upon arrival,” says Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield. “One victim had evacuated was literally on fire. He was assisted by pedestrians to extinguish the fire. He was taken to ECMC where he was confirmed deceased.” The victim was the owner of the shop. Another employee was taken to Buffalo General Hospital with a knee injury, not deemed life threatening.
Whitfield says there were several unconfirmed reports of an explosion. He says investigators are trying to determine if that is the case. “Reports are they were working on vehicles inside the shop, in particular fuel tanks,” says Whitfield.
He says firefighters had some trouble dealing with the blaze because of the nature of the shop. “Flammable liquids inside the shop with the flames inching upon them so we took a little extra care to extinguish them,” notes Whitfield.
Reading this right as I am literally covered in gas from removing a gas tank. Having all of the doors closed because of the cold, most people would be surprised at how easily gas vapors will ignite given the right conditions.
This video is of a fire dept doing a “controlled burn” of a structure. They poured gasoline in the house and the vapor was left to fill the rooms. Didnt end well.
Any time I have to work on stuff that involves spilling gasoline I move out to the driveway. Even if it’s cold I’d rather wear more layers than risk gas vapor building up in the garage.
And WTF kind of firemen thought that “controlled burn” was a good idea? I knew exactly what was going to happen when he tossed that flare in.
SERIOUSLY. When do gasoline and controlled burn ever belong together?!? AND let it soak all day which actually allows more fumes than soaking. Hint to those fireman: fumes/vapors are what actually burn.