Rekindles

[FireNerd]

Yeah I know occasionally they happen despite the best intentions and efforts. However, anyone else have an experience similar to this: Lightning strikes 2.5 story SFD, causes small fire in basement. Initial fire is basically held by sprinkler system in basement. First in crews ordered by chief to check for extension with TIC. Crews locate heat on exterior side B of structure, request permission to remove siding to check for extension. Chief denies permission, orders crews to take up and return. Five hours later, companies are redispatched to the same residence. Chief arrives on scene to report heavy fire side B of residence. This time, the attic and half of the second floor become total losses.

During the post-incident critique, the Chief (who also, conveniently enough, happens to be the township fire marshal) states that the rekindle was caused by a "quarter sized" area of heat that went undetected (despite crews finding heat underneath the siding where, lo and behold, the rekindle started). Further, he claims that the homeowner would have been more upset had crews pulled the siding and found nothing, than with the actual results.

Anyone else have similar experiences with incompetence causing unecessary loss? Anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with idiots like this?

[stormgod]

I work in NEWS as a cameraman and I spent 23 years as a vollie with a degree in Fire Science so I have a little bit of knowledge in this area. I cover a city in the NE of the US. They have a very good paid department here but I have seen some real winners here. For instance, a structure fire call at about 11 pm. Candle starts bedding on fire, kid throughs bedding out 2nd floor window and waits to tell mom. Siding catches fire and it works it way back up to 2nd floor window. FD arrives, removes some siding, puts the fire out and does sorta ok job in overhaul. 2 hours later.....rekindle with original fire room off. Quick knockdown and its back to the FH for some sleep. 2 hours later, rekindle with extention into attic, roof and now house is total lose. WHY? If I can see from the sidewalk that overhaul effort was weak why cant the DC who was in command?? Most of these homes are balloon construction so extra care has to be taken to check for extention and hotspots well away from the fire room. This cost the DC his job and rightfully so (IMO) As a fire officer, I personally returned to the scene about 2 hours after any working fire to check for flare ups and I have never had a successful rekindle. NEVER.
In these old homes, you gotta dig some, do some damage to be sure. The risk is just too high to NOT doublecheck. Sorry about the long post but being a former truckee, poor overhaul habits are a special thing for me.

[RES2CUEFF/PM]

Can't say I know much about this...being a rookie and all but it would make sense to do a good job and "tear some stuff up" when it's necessary. That's what I learned in MY fire class! I think people are more and more concerned about getting sued for doing too much (destruction of property) but IT IS OUR JOB to look for extension after a fire is out. Whether your a truckie, a hose puller, or a squadsman....we're supposed to look for extension. Just my two cents!