Fire Stretches throughout Limo

Mid-Town – March 24, 2002

When the Jamestown High School Baseball Team was looking to heat things up by heading south for spring training, their limo catching on fire was not what they had in mind.

Evans Center Firefighters were alerted to the fire around 3:15am this morning to milepost 444 eastbound on the New York State Thruway. When Chief Dennis Allen and Engine 1 arrived, the rear of the limo was in flames.

Before water could be put on the fire, flames shot 4-5 ft. in the air out of the gas tank at the rear of the stretch limo and created some tenuous moments until the hose stream could push the fire back. Captains Tiger Schmittendorf and Ken Hontz then attacked the balance of the fire with a hand line while Lt. Bruce Green Jr. operated the pump. The fire had extended from under the rear wheel wells into the trunk and passenger compartment.

A crew from Engine 2 consisting of Firefighters Alan Beers, Charles Klepfer II, Don Badeszewski, and Mike Relosky arrived and assisted in overhaul and salvage operations.

Unfortunately, the bulk of the team's belongings were destroyed in the fire. Firefighters opened the trunk and searched the passenger compartment to salvage what they could for the occupants. The team was headed to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport for a 6am flight to Florida.

Evans Center was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police and the Angola Fire Control Dispatch Center. Units returned to service around 5:30am Sunday morning. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.

Photos by: Charles Klepfer III/EVANS CENTER ASST. CHIEF 

Firefighting is not for everyone – but volunteering can be. Evans Center offers limited duty memberships in the areas of Fire/Rescue only, Fire Police only, Emergency Medical Services Only, Water Rescue only, or Associate only.  Associate members support the fire department through administrative, technology, fund-raising, clerical and other non-emergency business functions.

If you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact the Evans Center Fire Company at 716/549-1221 or fill our our feedback form or e-mail to: info@ecvfc.org