Deployment Stories

Fire Interruption Technology Fights Bar Fire and Prevents Spread of Flames in PA

Matamoras, PA
October 2009

When the Matamoras Fire Department received a call at 1:30 AM Wednesday morning, Fire Chief Thomas Long was luckily one block away from the structure fire with his Fire Interruption Technology device.

Chief Long arrived at the Dew Drop Inn bar to find smoke pouring out the sides of the building. “There was so much smoke that I couldn't see across the street", said Chief Long. Chief Long and the department's Deputy Chief immediately grabbed their devices from their trucks and deployed one through the front window and the other through the back door. “Within 1 minute we saw all visible flames disappear and smoke turn to white; it was truly amazing", said Chief Long.

The two devices bought 10-15 minutes until apparatus arrived on scene, just in time to fight the flames that were starting to come back.

The fire that was caused by cigarette ashes caused significant damage to the structure built in the late 1800's. The residence above the bar, where the bar owner lived, also suffered smoke and water damage. “Had it not been for the [Fire Interruption Technology] devices the building would have been in piles and the fire could have potentially spread to the nearby home 50 feet away", said Chief Long.

Thankfully, there were no injuries and the residents above the bar were safely evacuated.

Westfall, Port Jervis, Huguenot, and Sparrowbush fire departments provided mutual aid. Chief Long has already recommended neighboring departments to add Ara Safety's Fire Interruption Technology to their firefighting toolbox.

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