Orland Fire District Storm activity – May 20, 2014
Damage report on storm in Orland Fire District -- roof of fire station ripped off by high winds
A strong spring storm moved through the area of the Orland Fire district in the early evening hours of May 20, 2014. Typically during severe weather, the Orland Fire District responds to a surge of weather related emergencies in addition to the normal calls for service. Fire district units responded to reported structure fires, electric wires arcing and burning, energized wires which fell across roadways and damaged chimneys on homes from lightning strikes. In addition to the incidents related to severe weather, the district responded to several car accidents, a cardiac arrest and assisted Oak Forest with a confirmed apartment fire.
This storm activity was fairly typical related to types of incidents except for one unusual event.
While firefighters were helping residents with their emergencies, the roof partially blew off one of the fire stations. Firefighters returned to Fire Station #5, at 8851 W. 143rd Street, between alarms to find it raining inside of the fire house. The flat roof membrane of the fire station was pulled back by strong winds exposing at least 50% of the area below where the fire trucks are parked.
Fortunately, electronic and digital communication equipment in the building are housed in separate areas which was not damaged by the roof leaking. Also, the living quarters of the firefighters was not damaged.
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