St. Louis LODD

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Apr 1, 2007
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Courtesy Nassau County Fire Service Academy:
A St. Louis (MO) Firefighter was killed and another injured in the Line of Duty after the roof and top story of a dwelling collapsed during a fire in north St. Louis. Firefighters turned out before noon to Cote Brilliante Avenue and arrived with a working fire.
Firefighters had knocked the fire on the first floor and were searching for potential building occupants on the second when they had indications that they should back out because the fire was getting worse. As they turned to leave, the building's roof and top story collapsed, burying a Firefighter who died and injuring another, The surviving Firefighter was transported to an area hospital and reported conscious and breathing.
The initial call said the building was vacant, but it wasn't clear whether anybody was in there, legally or illegally...the structure still had bars on the windows, according to the department.
Much more to follow. Our condolences to all those affected. Rest In Peace.

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Joined
Jun 22, 2007
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Thank you Ray for keeping us updated on another very sad LODD within the Brotherhood

May he Rest In Peace and my condolences to his family members and his St Louis FD Brothers and Sisters
 

mack

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Aug 8, 2009
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ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The firefighter who died after a roof collapsed during a two-story house fire in north St. Louis has been identified.

Benjamin-Polson1.jpg
Benjamin Polson

Benjamin Polson lost his life in the line of duty Thursday, the St. Louis Fire Department confirmed. Another firefighter, who has not been identified, was injured and taken to the hospital.

“There are no words to describe what the feeling is right now amongst the St. Louis Fire Department. The risk we took today wasn’t worth it; we lost a firefighter,” said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

Firefighters were called to a home in the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante around noon. They were able to knock down the fire on the first floor and then made their way to the second floor.

While on the second floor, firefighters made the decision to back out due to the intensity of the fire. Jenkerson said as they were leaving, the roof collapsed, burying two firefighters.

“This kind of event weighs just tremendously heavy on the entire department,” Jenkerson.

The collapse of the roof caused heavy timber and bricks to fall on the firefighters causing the death of one firefighter and injuring the other.

“Once these things come down, they normally don’t give you a warning. These are old buildings here; these are three or four-course bricks, so there’s a lot of weight, a lot of heavy timber, so when it comes down … if you’re in the way of that falling timber, it’s normally serious injuries and in this case, it proved to be grave injuries,” Jenkerson said.
 
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May 6, 2010
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Prayers for FF Benjamin Polson....REST IN PEACE BROTHER.... PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.....Prayers for a full recovery to the injured FF.
 
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Jun 15, 2012
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God Bless Those Whos Serve, and Those Who Mourn. Rest In Eternal Peace.
 
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
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We preach about lightweight construction and the dangers of preengineered trusses and gusset plates and the likelihood of quick collapse. This was a turn of the century Masonry structure with a catastrophic roof failure. Always be alert. RIP FF Polson.
 
Joined
Mar 3, 2007
Messages
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Rest in Peace Firefighter Polson. Thoughts and prayers for your family at home and on the job.
 
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