On Monday afternoon, South Salem firefighters were alerted to a motor vehicle accident, car through a pole, in front of the South Salem Firehouse. Firefighter Chris Perruzza came upon the accident moments after it happened. He quickly called 60-Control and then Chief's A. Llewellyn (Car 2451) and A. Scott(2453), who arrived on scene prior to dispatch. Car 2451 took command of a scene that involved and SUV which had gone straight through a telephone pole bringing down multiple wires including live power lines, three victims including a 10 month old, and a small brush fire. Firefighters and emergency medical workers were able to gain access to all victims who had been removed from the vehicle by a passing motorists and were not in the direct area of the live power lines. As the victims were being tended to, firefighters shut down Rt. 35 at both ends of Spring Street. Once New York State Electric and Gas arrived on scene and had confirmed that power had been shut off, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the burning wires and grass and gain access to the vehicle. Rt. 35 remained closed for approximately four hours while crews cleaned up all the downed wires.
*PLEASE NOTE - it is never safe to leave your vehicle while it is in close proximity to downed power lines. You may be seriously injured or even killed. Always assume that any downed wire is live. Only the utility companies can confirm that power has been shut off.
*All photos were taken after NYSEG had cut power and the scene was secured.
Units:
2451, 2452, 2453, R-21, E-167, U-79
Mutual Aid:
BHFD 2031, LVAC, WEMS, LPD
FF Perruzza using a dry chemical extinguisher after all power had been cut by NYSEG.
FF's Wetzel and Weiss gaining access to the battery.
*Note, all power to wires had been cut.
