# Two Career Lieutenants Killed and Two Career Fire Fighters Injured Following a Flashover at an Assembly Hall Fire—Texas/Timeline

​ Timeline
This timeline is provided to set out, to the extent possible, the sequence of events according to recorded and intelligible radio transmissions. Times are approximate and were obtained from review of the dispatch records, witness interviews, and other available information. Times have been rounded to the nearest minute. NIOSH investigators have attempted to include all intelligible radio transmissions, but some may be missing. This timeline is not intended, nor should it be used, as a formal record of events.
    Dispatch received a cell phone call for a reported fire at an assembly hall. Additional information from the call taker included:
   * Unknown if anyone was in side
   * No cars are in parking lot
   * Flames coming from the building
    Dispatch assigned E1, E2, E5, T1, M2, B1, EMS1, and law enforcement to the reported assembly hall fire. Dispatch assigned TAC 3 as the incident channel. Dispatch advised the responding units that all calls had come from a passersby, it was unknown if anyone was in the building, and no cars were in the parking lot.
    E1 on scene with fire showing, going offensive mode, Victim #1 passed command.
    T1 on scene and began assisting the E1 crew.
    EMS1 provided the location of the closest hydrant.
    B1 arrived on scene and reported he had a single-story commercial building with fire showing from the roof on B/C corner. B1 took command and advised that operations were in offensive mode.
    T1 officer requested a "k-tool" (forcible entry tool) to the front door from the T1 operator.
    EMS1 arrived on scene
    IC requested a ladder truck from the automatic aid department, an additional engine, and an admin page (notifying department admin) to respond.
    Victim #1 radioed the IC and stated, "…bring me a 200-foot to the front door."
    IC transmitted, "say again."
    Victim #1 transmitted, "200-foot to the front door."
    IC acknowledged and stated, "Ok, I hear E1 at the front door."
    T1 officer advised that they forced a door on D-side of the structure and were working on forcing a door on C-side of the structure.
    M2 arrived on scene and was setting up standby.
    E2 arrived on scene and began setting up a water supply.
    EMS1 setting up safety command at the rear of the building (positioned himself on C-side of the structure).
    T1 officer advised doors on C- and D-side had been forced opened and remained closed.
    E2 advised the IC they were on scene setting up water supply and laying a line around M2 and B1.
    E5 on scene and setting up as RIT.
    IC requested set-up for large water flow.
    E2 officer advised they were conducting a walk-around and grabbing another line; acknowledged by IC. ​
    IC transmitted, "Confirming E1 and T1 inside."
    A unit transmits, "Negative, T1 on the C-side opening up a ventilation hole for the engine."
    IC transmitted, "Confirming E1 on the inside."
    Victim #1 advised the IC that his crew was on the inside making fire attack.
    IC advised the ISO and RIT to do a walk-around.
    ISO advised the IC over the radio that RIT is completing their walk-around and that he was ¾ done with his and looking for the electrical box.
    IC advised E2 to pull a second line and assist E1; E2 acknowledged.
    IC asked E1 for UCAN (unit, conditions, actions, needs) report.
    IC reported a lot of fire on the A/B roof.
    Victim #1 over the radio stated, "…there was a door, on the bravo side I could not get opened, that a, if we could get it opened we could…unintelligible…get that door opened we can get all that smoke outta of here, I tried to get it opened on the walk-around but couldn’t."
    IC requested T1 to open door on B-side.
    T1 advised door is open and would be making entry with a crew of 3.
    IC advised T1 to repeat and T1 advised the IC that they got the door to the B-side opened and were making entry with a crew of 3.
    IC acknowledged over the radio that T1 was inside with 3 and that the B-side door was opened.
    Victim #1 requested additional hose.
    E2 crew makes entry; acknowledged by IC and dispatch.
    E1 operator advised the IC that he was at half a tank.
    IC advised E2 to charge the hydrant.
    ISO cut off air handler units and believed the main breaker box too.
    Automatic aid ladder truck and engine en route.
    E2 operator established water to E1.
    T1 officer advised they exited with three and will be re-entering with only two; acknowledged by the IC.
    IC confirmed with dispatch that he had an additional engine company responding.
    Dispatch confirmed automatic aid units were responding and provided a 10-minute notification to the IC; acknowledged by the IC.
    E2 officer asked for somebody at the door to pull more hose. ​
    IC advised Victim #1 that they still had fire through the roof on the A/B corner.
    E1 operator advised water supply was established.
    IC requested “BTU” to respond. (BTU is acronym for local utilities)
    Dispatch asked IC to reset his emergency status on his radio; IC acknowledged.
    IC assigned ISO to the C/D corner to "maintain a size up."
    E2 operator advised IC that he was set up for "big water."
    T1 officer advised Victim #1 that all the hose had been pulled.
    E2 officer asked IC if they were making any progress; IC replied, "I think so, I think so, it looks like the fire is diminishing."
    T1 officer advised IC they were exiting the structure with a crew of two to get more air.
    IC requested E1 or T1 operator to stack fans in the front door; E5 advised they would take care of the second fan.
    IC advised crews inside that it looked like some improvement, not a lot of visible fire just a lot of smoke, and fans were being stacked at the front door.
    E2 officer advised they were in the second room (believed to be the dance hall) with heavy heat conditions and everything above them (fire conditions), and making progress.
    IC replied, "I think you are, the only fire above the roof we see is still on that B, A/B roof side, still a lot of smoke, we’re going try and stack some fans at the front door." Note: The fan(s) were turned on after placement.
    T1 entered the structure with a crew of 3; acknowledged by IC and dispatch.
    Victim #1 advised the IC that he had a low-air alarm, was separated from his fire fighter, and was on the red hoseline; transmission repeated to IC.
    E1 probationary fire fighter advised he is on the red hoseline and low on air.
    IC requested dispatch to sound the emergency evacuation alert tone, and the IC advised all units to evacuate the building. The tone was given and the IC repeated "evacuate the building."
    E2 officer advised they were out with two; acknowledged by the IC.
    ISO advised the IC to go into rescue mode and request a second alarm.
    T1 officer advised the IC over the radio that he can hear a personal alert safety system (PASS) device alarming. ​
    A second alarm was requested by the IC but an emergency alert tone was set off. IC gave the order to evacuate the building again after tone.
    Automatic aid units on scene requesting an assignment.
    IC advised all units to evacuate the building.
    ISO advised heavy flames through the roof toward the C-side.
    IC requested the automatic aid ladder to be set up.
    IC advised all units to evacuate the building.
    IC asked E5 if they were accounted for.
    Victim #1 advised low-air alarm is off, to please give him air and he is still on the red hoseline.
    IC replied, "Follow the red hoseline out, follow the red hoseline out." Victim #1 advised, "Negative, command, I can’t do it, cause I had stuff fall on the hoseline and I’m disoriented on it. Please send help." IC replied, "Follow the red hoseline out."
    T1 officer advised the IC they had a fire fighter down on the red hoseline (approximately 25 feet away).
    IC advised all units to evacuate.
    E1 operator advised the IC that he had his deck gun up and asked if he wanted him to flow.
    IC ordered T1 to exit the building.
    IC asked E5 officer (RIT) for a status report.
    IC asked dispatch for an evacuation tone.
    IC advised all units to evacuate the building and asked for a status report from E5.
    IC asked for all units to evacuate the building.
    Open mic.
    Dispatch asked over the radio if "E1 lieutenant" had emergency traffic (Victim #1’s radio).
    E4 en route.
    IC requested two additional ambulances.
    Automatic aid ladder truck advised the IC they were in place and ready to flow water when he was ready. IC advised them to flow water as soon as they could.
    ISO advised the IC that one fire fighter was out.
    IC asked dispatch for an aeromedical helicopter. ​
    M2 requested additional ambulances; IC advised dispatch that he needed four ambulances.
    ISO advised that a third fire fighter was out of the structure and launch a second aeromedical helicopter.
    T1 radioed they needed help removing fire fighters from the doorway.
    Automatic aid ladder truck advised the IC that the roof was beginning to collapse; the IC confirmed.
    E4 on scene.
    T1 officer advised that Victim #1 was 10 feet from him and needed help getting him out.
    E4 officer advised the IC of heavy fire and that they heard a PASS device going off.
    IC asked for a third alarm.
    ISO advised the IC that Victim #1 was at the door.
    All fire fighters accounted for.
    IC advised the ISO to get everyone out of building after removing Victim #1.
    All personnel out of structure.