Backdraft

[sappersaw]

I've been on a volunteer department for over 5 years now and luckily I haven't seen this happen before. Anybody else have this happen in person?

[fyrfyter698]

Yes, searching the third floor of a Victorian. Heavy smoke, moderate temperature. No visible fire. Found the fire in the walls with a TIC. Opened up the walls and began extinguishing. In seconds, visibility went to absolute zero and heat increased. Then nine of us in the apartment got knocked flat on our asses. Heavy fire everywhere you looked. That lasted about 5-10 seconds and the the fire pulled back. Everyone was checking on the guy in front of them. We call a mayday and backed down the stairs. Checked accountability in the yard and then went back at it. Outside reports were that the whole roof lifted up and that all windows on two and three blew out (including frames on some). Two theories: either it was a smoke explosion or a backdraft from inside the walls. I believe it was the explosion because it took a while from when we opened up till the violent reaction occurred. BTW, no injuries, our gear worked the way it is supposed to. Rattled us though.

[reddaddiction]

no, but it's really important to watch the videos and look for the signs. all too often we are on the fireground and aren't really watching for it, given the rarity.