fire department

Photos from the World Trade Center Steel Ceremony

By ARLnow.com

Hundreds gathered outside Arlington County Fire Station 5 in Pentagon City this morning to commemorate the donation of a steel beam from the World Trade Center.

“This morning we gather to recognize the bond between Arlington, New York and Shanskville [Pa.],” said Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz.

Dozens of New York City and Arlington County firefighters were on hand for the ceremony. Music was provided by a large bagpipe corps and a youth choir from Georgia.

The steel beam — one end twisted and torn with remnants of concrete still attached — was from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, according to Paddy Concannon, president of the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, which arranged the donation.

Following the beam’s unveiling, firefighters took turns reading the names of those who died in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

The beam was transported from Brooklyn to Pentagon City on Saturday. It was accompanied by hundreds of motorcyclists on its journey to Arlington.

The steel will remain on display outside the fire station until a more permanent memorial is constructed.

More photos after the jump.

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Complaint of the Day: Don’t Come Knocking Edition

By ARLnow.com

Today’s complaint of the day isn’t so much a complaint so much as an amusing call to police.

Apparently, a neighbor called police after hearing noises coming from an apartment. The apartment in question belongs to a woman who’s diabetic, and the neighbor thought she might be having some sort of diabetic emergency. The caller said it sounded like the woman was yelling “yes, yes, yes.”

Shockingly, the woman did not come to the door when the neighbor knocked.

Arlington police and firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

NYC Firefighters To Donate World Trade Center Steel to Arlington

By ARLnow.com

On August 28, a 6 to 10 foot steel beam from the World Trade Center will arrive in Arlington to serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The steel is a gift from the the Fire Family Transport Foundation, an NYC-based firefighters’ charity, and members of the New York Fire Department. Two years ago a similar donation was made to Shanksville, Pa., the crash site of United Flight 93.

Police cars, 500 motorcyclists and NYFD’s ceremonial Engine 343 (named in honor of the 343 firefighters who died when the twin towers collapsed) will escort the beam from Brooklyn to Arlington. A brief arrival ceremony is expected to be held at the Pentagon Memorial, to be followed by a more elaborate ceremony the next day.

The Arlington Fire Department is still planning the August 29 event, but it will likely take place at Fire Station 5 in Pentagon City, which was the first to respond to the Pentagon after it was hit by American Airlines Flight 77.

At a county board meeting on Tuesday, Arlington fire chief James Schwartz says a final resting place for the beam has not been decided, but said it may be placed next to a piece of limestone from the Pentagon.

Board member Barbara Favola asked if the beam could be converted into a piece of public art and displayed “in a visually attractive way.”

“It really is more like a memorial, and public art and memorials are two different things, I’m told,” Schwartz said.

Painter In Critical Condition After Ladder Touches Power Lines

By ARLnow.com

A young man is in critical condition tonight after a ladder he was moving came into contact with power lines. It happened around 3:15 this afternoon on North Highland Street, near Route 50, in the Ashton Heights neighborhood.

The man, who’s in his mid-20s, was working as a contract employee for College Pro Painters, firefighters said.

According to Arlington County Fire Department spokesperson Jose Ortiz, the man was trying to position the ladder on a house he was working on, when it fell backwards onto 19,900 volt power lines. The man was severely burned and was knocked back nearly nine feet by the electrical shock.

The man was without a pulse when paramedics arrived but was resuscitated and brought to a nearby hospital, Ortiz said. He’s now being transferred to the MedStar burn unit in Northwest Washington. His injuries are described as life-threatening.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the accident. Authorities are keeping power on until OSHA investigators arrive on the scene.

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Flames Engulf Minivan In Costco Parking Lot

By ARLnow.com

A minivan caught on fire in the parking lot of the Costco store in Pentagon City today. The vehicle’s engine compartment was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived around 1:45 p.m.

No one was in the minivan when the fire broke out and there were no injuries, we’re told.

The cause of the fire is unclear, but the minivan’s front end appeared to be parked over a pile of mulch. Firefighters hosed down the scorched mulch after extinguishing the flames.

Unbelievably, at a time when it seems like almost everybody has a video-capable cell phone, no one who was watching the scene unfold got video of the flames. Not even the half dozen Best Buy employees watching from the store’s loading dock. C’mon, Geek Squad, step it up. –Ed.

Update at 4:15 pm. — The excitement outside the Pentagon City Costco continues. An hour after the car fire, paramedics were called to Fern Street, in front of the store, for an accident with injuries. As they were working on a woman who had arm and facial injuries, a good Samaritan pointed out a man with who was lying unresponsive under a bench. Medics gave him an IV and brought him to the hospital.

Four Hospitalized After CO Incident at Courthouse Hotel

By ARLnow.com

At least four people were sent to the hospital after elevated carbon monoxide levels were detected in the Arlington Court Suites Hotel at 1200 North Courthouse Road.

Firefighters believe the CO may have wafted into the hotel after a vehicle was left running for an extended period of time in a parking garage.

Several victims complained of headaches as a result of carbon monoxide exposure. One other person was evaluated on the scene and released.

Firefighters have brought in portable fans to ventilate the building.

Afternoon Notes: Guy Fieri Pays a Visit, Small House Fire

By ARLnow.com

Guy Fieri Brings Camera Crew to Arlington Diner — Celebrity chef and Food Network star Guy Fieri visited Arlington’s Metro 29 Diner (4711 Lee Highway) on Tuesday, according to the Reliable Source. He was filming an episode of “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”

Housing Fair To Be Held This Weekend — Arlington County will be holding a housing fair on Saturday. Renters and buyers alike will be able to attend workshops, get valuable advice and meet with landlords, real estate and finance professionals, housing specialists and County staff.

Small House Fire on Arlington Boulevard — Firefighters responded to a small house fire at the intersection of Arlington Boulevard and South Fillmore Street today. The fire was contained to the back of the house, where construction may have been taking place. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze (see photos below).

Afternoon Notes: Obey Retirement Boosts Moran

By ARLnow.com

Obey’s Retirement Will Boost Moran’s Influence — Wisconsin congressman David Obey’s retirement will move fellow Democrat Rep. Jim Moran higher up in the powerful House Appropriations Committee’s pecking order. Moran said of Obey’s decision not to seek re-election today: “Chairman Obey is one of the most consequential figures to chair Appropriations. With unparalleled institutional knowledge, he has skillfully guided the Committee through some of the most difficult terrain in its history. He will be sorely missed.” More from the Washington Post.

Elevator Fire at Navy Annex Ties Up Traffic — A small fire in an elevator mechanical room at the Navy Annex on Columbia Pike tied up traffic this morning. Firefighters and police responded to the scene, shutting down Columbia Pike between South Joyce Street and South Oak Street around 10:15 p.m. ART and Metro buses were delayed as a result.

Arlington Students Win Latin Awards — Twelve Arlington Public School students won the first place “gold summa cum laude” medal for excellence on the National Latin Exam. The exam tests Latin students at various grade levels in the areas of grammar, reading comprehension, Roman culture, history, geography and mythology and etymology. Another 114 Arlington students received second, third and fourth place honors.

Afternoon Notes: Electric Bike Unveiling, Weekend Hotel Fire

By ARLnow.com

Electric Bicycles to Be Demo-ed — California-based firm Pedego will unveil its line of electric bicycles in Arlington on Thursday, in celebration of Earth Day. The demonstration is being held at the Big Wheel Bikes at 3119 Lee Highway, in the Lyon Village Shopping Center. Pedego will let riders test-drive the bikes on the Custis Trail from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will also be free food, drinks and live entertainment.

Energy Use Discussed At Town Hall Meeting — Residents shared their thoughts on energy challenges at the Arlington Community Energy Town Hall Meeting on Saturday. A county task force is trying to find ways to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. More from the Sun Gazette.

Revolution Cycles Holds Hub Spin Event — Revolution Cycles’ new City Hub bike rental store in Crystal City held its inaugural “Hub Spin” group ride on Saturday. Check out the photos here.

Residents Invited to Comment on Development Plan — Arlington County is inviting the public to comment on plans for mixed-use development around the East Falls Church Metro. The first of two forums will be held on Thursday, April 29 at Tuckahoe Elementary School. More from the county’s website.

Crystal City Hotel Evacuated Due to Fire — The Hyatt Regency Crystal City was evacuated Saturday night due to a smoky fire inside a large trash compactor. Arlington, Alexandria and airport firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, we’re told. Photos below courtesy Doug Wendt.

Small Brush Fire in Courthouse

By ARLnow.com

Firefighters put out a small brush fire in Courthouse this afternoon. A pile of fallen leaves and branches caught fire near a power substation at the Woodbury Park apartments. The flames were quickly extinguished.

It’s not clear how the fire started, although Dominion Power was evaluating the substation following the fire.

The photo above was taken shortly after the incident, as firefighters were apparently refilling their engine with water from a hydrant.

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