Report From Engine Co. 82 - Dennis Smith [23]
“Hey Jim,” I shout, “you better turn the line, or else we’re going to get caught between it.”
Jim struggles to turn the line again, and he hits the fire in the hall. He moves a foot or so into the apartment.
Captain Albergray says, coolly, “The ceiling is down, Jim, and the floor upstairs is beginning to go. Watch it, ’cause it’ll come down in pieces.”
“Well, let’s try to move in just a little more,” says Jim. “Then maybe I can hit that room on the left.” We push the line in a few feet, and Jim yells, “Ahh, ahh, your mother’s ass.…” Part of the floor above has given way.
Jim is on his knees, and he wants desperately to get out of the apartment, but he knows better than to shut the nozzle down in a fire like this. The water is our only protection. So I crawl up fast, and take the nozzle from Jim. Vinny and Carmine are down on the floor now. Their masks will make it easier to fight this fire. Vinny takes the nozzle, and I back downstairs to get a mask. Jim is already in the street breathing the clear air heavily. He has multiple burns on the ears, neck, and shoulders. I put my arm around his waist, and say, “You did a beautiful job Jim—like always.”
Jim attempts a weak smile, and replies, “It couldn’t have been too beautiful, the fire’s not out yet, is it?” I laugh a little, and run to the pumper for the masks. I pass a leaking hose connection, and bend low for a drink of water, but I can’t swallow. I spit the water out. Valenzio has taken out two masks for me. I put mine on, and throw the other over my shoulder for Captain Albergray.
The second alarm companies are in now. Hose lines—spaghetti—are all over the street, up the adjoining building, up the fire escapes, up the aerial ladder. Some are bulging with water, and some haven’t yet been charged.
As I return to my company I pass Carroll on the stairs. “What’s up, Benny?” I ask.
“I got a goddam cinder down my glove. The back of my hand is all blistered, so 111 have to take up for a while.” He sounds defeated.
“Take care of yourself,” I murmur as I continue up the stairs. I feel sorry for Benny, because I know he wouldn’t leave the action for a burned hand, not unless Captain Albergray ordered him down.
I meet the company on the third-floor landing. They were pushed back. Captain Albergray backs down the stairs a little to put his mask on. Carmine is on the nozzle now, and I ask him how they were pushed out of the apartment. He tells me that Engine 45 had water pressure trouble, and they had to shut down their line. The fire then got into the hall again, and my company was caught between the two fires. A fundamental rule in this business is never to let the fire get behind you, so 82 had to fight their way back to the hall stairs.
I take the nozzle, and tell Carmine to “take a blow.” The nob is heavy, and the back pressure makes my arms strain. I know I won’t lose control of it though, because Vinny has a firm grip on the hose behind me. We are now keeping the fire inside the two apartments. At least it hasn’t crossed the hall.
Engine 45 gets pressure in its line again, and returns to the landing. The fire is now spreading throughout both floors above us.
We yell to Engine 45 to take the second apartment again, and Engine 73 passes us as it humps its hose to the fourth floor. It is still ash hot, but the masks make it a lot easier to breathe. We are now at the door of the first apartment, and Engine 45 is at the second. We move in a little, and 45 moves in. Captain Albergray is next to me, and I say, “The only way to put this fire out is to move in on it. Otherwise, well be here all night.”
“We’re gonna be here all night anyway, so take it slow,” he answers.
Vinny moves up and takes the nozzle, and Carmine moves behind Vinny. Deputy Chief Kelsen is on the scene now. He calls the Captain on the walkie-talkie and Albergray tells him our position and progress. Chief Kelsen tells him to hold the position, and not to take any