Post by PUMP on Jan 9, 2009 19:44:25 GMT -5
Boston Firefighter Killed In Fire Truck Crash
Images: Fire Truck Crashes Into Boston Apartment BuildingBOSTON (WBZ) ¯
One firefighter was killed and three others were hurt when a fire truck crashed into an apartment building in Boston Friday afternoon, Boston police officials said.
The Ladder 26 truck slammed into Roxbury Tenants of Harvard building at 835 Huntington Ave. near Parker Hill Ave. around 2:30 p.m.
WBZ has learned the firefighter killed in the wreck is 52-year-old Lt. Kevin Kelley. The 30-year Boston fire veteran was trapped inside the truck for a time. His family was at the scene Friday afternoon. The firefighter's body was pulled from the wreckage and put into an ambulance just before 4:30 p.m.
Kelley was one of the firefighers in the 2005 Discovery Channel's program "Firehouse USA-Boston." The show featured Ladder 26.
Boston fire officials say the fire truck was returning from an emergency call on Parker Hill Ave placed at 2:03 p.m. It left the scene at 2:30 p.m., and minutes later it slammed into two parked vehicles before going through the brick wall in front of the apartment building. Officials said there were no occupants inside the cars involved.
A Boston fire spokesman said the three other firefighters are in good condition. One suffered a broken leg, and the others are said to have minor injuries.
4 KIDS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
The truck struck the first floor of the building near a computer learning center for children.
Four kids were taken to an area hospital as a precaution. They were not injured, officials said.
Because the truck crashed into the entrance of the apartment building, no one was hurt inside. The building is not being evacuated at this time. Police say hydraulic lifts were brought in to stabilize the structure, which is said to be safe.
The truck appeared to have barreled down a steep hill before it plowed through the cars, a brick wall and the building.
The tall red-brick structure is owned by the nonprofit Roxbury Tenants of Harvard, a housing and human service organization that was founded by residents of the neighborhood in 1969.
The street is closed from South Huntington to Brigham Circle for an extended period of time, police officials said. They urge people to avoid the area altogether Friday afternoon and evening.
Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes including Brookline Avenue and the Riverway west of Huntington Avenue, and Ruggles Street, Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue east of Huntington Avenue.
The MBTA Green Line, specifically the E service, is also affected. Officials estimate delays are running about 15 to 20 minutes.
CAUSE OF CRASH UNDER INVESTIGATION
Investigators will be looking into the possibility of mechanical failure. The Boston Globe, citing a city official, says it's possible the truck lost its brakes.
WBZ has learned that the firefighter's union has cited maintenance issues within the Boston Fire Department in the past few years.
Ladder 26 is one of 22 ladders in the city of Boston. WBZ was told it's either the first or the second busiest ladder truck in the city as far as calls for service.
The firehouse where Ladder 26 is based is the busiest firehouse in the city.
As far as safety goes, the city does its own maintenance on its trucks unless there is a major issue. Annual safety inspections are required.
WBZ has requested those inspection reports. The truck is manufactured by the company E-ONE. The truck is what's called a 110 foot RMA.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Images: Fire Truck Crashes Into Boston Apartment BuildingBOSTON (WBZ) ¯
One firefighter was killed and three others were hurt when a fire truck crashed into an apartment building in Boston Friday afternoon, Boston police officials said.
The Ladder 26 truck slammed into Roxbury Tenants of Harvard building at 835 Huntington Ave. near Parker Hill Ave. around 2:30 p.m.
WBZ has learned the firefighter killed in the wreck is 52-year-old Lt. Kevin Kelley. The 30-year Boston fire veteran was trapped inside the truck for a time. His family was at the scene Friday afternoon. The firefighter's body was pulled from the wreckage and put into an ambulance just before 4:30 p.m.
Kelley was one of the firefighers in the 2005 Discovery Channel's program "Firehouse USA-Boston." The show featured Ladder 26.
Boston fire officials say the fire truck was returning from an emergency call on Parker Hill Ave placed at 2:03 p.m. It left the scene at 2:30 p.m., and minutes later it slammed into two parked vehicles before going through the brick wall in front of the apartment building. Officials said there were no occupants inside the cars involved.
A Boston fire spokesman said the three other firefighters are in good condition. One suffered a broken leg, and the others are said to have minor injuries.
4 KIDS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
The truck struck the first floor of the building near a computer learning center for children.
Four kids were taken to an area hospital as a precaution. They were not injured, officials said.
Because the truck crashed into the entrance of the apartment building, no one was hurt inside. The building is not being evacuated at this time. Police say hydraulic lifts were brought in to stabilize the structure, which is said to be safe.
The truck appeared to have barreled down a steep hill before it plowed through the cars, a brick wall and the building.
The tall red-brick structure is owned by the nonprofit Roxbury Tenants of Harvard, a housing and human service organization that was founded by residents of the neighborhood in 1969.
The street is closed from South Huntington to Brigham Circle for an extended period of time, police officials said. They urge people to avoid the area altogether Friday afternoon and evening.
Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes including Brookline Avenue and the Riverway west of Huntington Avenue, and Ruggles Street, Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue east of Huntington Avenue.
The MBTA Green Line, specifically the E service, is also affected. Officials estimate delays are running about 15 to 20 minutes.
CAUSE OF CRASH UNDER INVESTIGATION
Investigators will be looking into the possibility of mechanical failure. The Boston Globe, citing a city official, says it's possible the truck lost its brakes.
WBZ has learned that the firefighter's union has cited maintenance issues within the Boston Fire Department in the past few years.
Ladder 26 is one of 22 ladders in the city of Boston. WBZ was told it's either the first or the second busiest ladder truck in the city as far as calls for service.
The firehouse where Ladder 26 is based is the busiest firehouse in the city.
As far as safety goes, the city does its own maintenance on its trucks unless there is a major issue. Annual safety inspections are required.
WBZ has requested those inspection reports. The truck is manufactured by the company E-ONE. The truck is what's called a 110 foot RMA.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
