Fire Captain Rescued by His Crew

 

At approximately 3:30 this afternoon, Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Haz-Mat Team responded to a natural gas leak in a commercial area near downtown.  Upon arrival, the team discovered that the ruptured gas line was located in a ditch about 5-foot deep, which had been excavated by a construction crew.  The Haz-Mat Captain, a 33-year veteran of DFD, collapsed while in the process of shutting off the gas.  Team members quickly jumped in the ditch and pulled out the 53 year-old who had stopped breathing.  They then quickly administered CPR and summoned a rescue unit.  He was then transported to a local hospital where he regained consciousness.   A 36 year-old team member was slightly injured in the rescue process and was also transported to a local hospital.

 

At least 17 commercial businesses had to be evacuated shortly after the rupture.  The gas line was completely shut off at approximately 7:15 pm.  TXU has initiated an investigation into what caused the gas line to rupture.  A TXU representative stated that service to the commercial buildings would not be restored until tomorrow.   

 

RELEASE DATE

TIME

PUBLIC INFORMATION CONTACTS

 

August 19, 2004

 

08:00 P.M.

 

Lt. Jesse Garcia or Lt. Joel Lavender

Jdgarc@mail.ci.dallas.tx.us

 

ADDRESS

OCCUPANCY TYPE

Ph#  214-670-7949

Fax# 214-670-0669

Pager 214-670-4115 Pin # 9885

 

1101 N. Industrial Ave.

 

 

N/A

STRUCTURAL LOSS

CONTENTS LOSS

CIVILIANS INJURED

CIVILIAN FATALITIES

 

 

00

 

 

00

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

TOTAL FIREFIGTHERS

FIREFIGHTER INJURIES

FIREFIGHTER FATALITIES

TOTAL HEAVY FIRE APPARATUS

 

 

16

 

 

2

 

0

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

TOTAL RESCUE AMBULANCES

TIME TO CONTROL INCIDENT

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

1 hr

 

 

0

 

 

0

 

 

0

ALARMS

INCIDENT CAUSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-in Gas Rupture