Car Veers off Pineda Causeway and Lands in the Water

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A car reportedly veered off the Pineda Causeway and landed in the water.  The incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. and left one occupant, the driver, with minor injuries.  A small fuel leak was associated with the incident.  Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) Hazardous Materials Team was called to evaluate the situation.  Because of the small amount of fuel that entered the waterway, no actions were necessary.  The call was turned over to the US Coast Guard who said they would monitor the situation, but said they did not need to intervene.

BCFR Hazardous Materials Team remained on scene until the vehicle was removed from the water, to ensure no other hazards were present.  The vehicle was safely removed without further incident.  The driver of the vehicle was transported by a BCFR rescue unit for further medical evaluation, but his injuries were described as minor.

Additional pic available at Car into Indian River


By: Lieutenant Don Slayman

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Overturned Tractor Trailer Closes S.R.3 for Several Hours

(Brevard County, Fla.) - An overturned tractor trailer caused traffic delays after closing S.R.3 for several hours.  The crash occurred yesterday morning (June 13th) on S.R.3 just south of S.R.528 in Merritt Island.  Although the tractor trailer was not carrying any hazardous materials, the vehicle did endure a fuel leak.

A Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team from Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) was called to the scene to mitigate the leak.  Crews were able to contain the leak to the roadway by constructing a dike from dirt at the scene.  The leak was inaccessible so the Haz-Mat team "pumped off" the remaining fuel.  Pumping off allows crews to move remaining fuel from the leaking tank into a container for proper disposal.  The fuel was confined to the roadway and did not impact any waterways.

Four people were involved in the incident, three of which required transport by ambulance to local hospitals. None of the injuries were life-threatening.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the driver of the tractor trailer was at fault.  Details on the charges are available from FHP.

Additional pictures are available at Brevard Fire Alert pics

By: Lieutenant Don Slayman

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3 Alarm Commercial Structure Fire at the Space Coast Flea Market

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Fire crews from Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR), along with several other agencies, worked to extinguish a 3-alarm commercial fire early Tuesday morning at the Space Coast Flea Market in Cocoa.  Brevard County Fire Rescue dispatchers received a 911 call shortly before 2:30 a.m. from a caller who stated flames were visible on the walls of the flea market.  The building is located at 5605 N Highway 1 in Cocoa.

BCFR crews arrived just minutes after the alarm and found heavy fire and smoke penetrating the roof of the structure.  Firefighters immediately deployed hoselines to combat the fire.  Because of the intensity of the flames, a defensive strategy was initiated; meaning firefighters attacked the fire from the outside.  A second and third alarm was requested by the first arriving District Chief because of the intense heat and potential for further fire spread.

Four ladder trucks, 12 fire engines, and many more support vehicles delivered approximately 70 firefighters to the scene.  Firefighters battled the intense blaze for nearly two hours before they were able to knockdown the main body of fire.

Fire investigators from BCFR and the State Fire Marshal's Office were on to complete the investigation and interview witnesses.  According to the State Fire Marshal's Office, arson is believed to be the cause of the fire.

No injuries or road closures were reported.  Pics available at Flea Market Pics

By: Lieutenant Don Slayman

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Car Crashes Into Waffle House

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A vehicle crashed into a Waffle House and injured a diner.  Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) responded to the crash shortly before 4:00 a.m. at the restaurant located at S.R. 520 and I-95, in Cocoa.  For an unknown reason, the driver accelerated over the curb and into the restaurant's dining area.  Three patrons were in the immediate area struck by the vehicle, injuring a mother dining with her child.

The mother was transported by a BCFR ambulance to a local hospital, but her injuries are described as not life-threatening.

A Brevard County building inspector was called to the scene to evaluate the safety of the building.  As of 7:00 a.m., Waffle House already had crews on scene to clean up the mess.

Pictures are available at BCFR Pics

By: Lieutenant Don Slayman

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Tropical Storm Andrea Update

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Current Situation Tropical Storm Andrea will reach landfall in/near Apalachee Bay late this afternoon or early evening, then move faster to the northeast into southeast Georgia tonight. As landfall is approached, the most favorable tornado environment will lift north of central Florida. However, the possibility of a trailing rainband may prolong the heavy rain threat for a portion of central Florida.

Tornado WATCH continues for all of east-central Florida (except Volusia County) until 1100 am. The Tornado WATCH will likely be extended for most/all of east-central Florida from late morning into early evening (likely including Volusia County) as wind shear remains favorable for isolated tornadoes and the second rainband moves into the region. Tornado WARNINGS can be issued at any time if radar indicates strong, persistent rotation above ground level.

Projected Impacts

TODAY

·         Lake Wind Advisory in effect for south winds sustained 15-20 mph with gusts 30-35 mph, mainly during times of heavier rain.

·         Scattered showers/storms, along with an isolated tornado threat will continue this morning into mid day, then a stronger rainband with more widespread rain and a greater tornado threat will likely reach the area from around mid day into the afternoon, and may persist into the early evening. 

·         Additional rainfall of 1-3 inches likely, with isolated totals of 3-5 inches, may produce minor flooding. Moderate flooding may occur in a few spots where heavy rains persist.

·         Conditions remain favorable for isolated tornadoes, especially when the next rainband moves into the region this afternoon through early evening.

TONIGHT

·         The most favorable tornado environment is expected to lift north of the region by early evening.

·         Scattered showers and isolated storms may persist well into the evening.

·         One area of concern is the possibility of a rainband trailing south from the Tropical Storm which may persist across a portion of east-central Florida overnight and into early Friday. If this pattern sets-up, a narrow zone of training showers/storms would locally increase the flood threat.

FRIDAY

·         Scattered heavy showers/storms will develop, especially after daytime heating takes place. Typical of the summer, afternoon weather pattern. 

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Driver Backs into Home in West Melbourne

(West Melbourne, Fla.) - Neighbors were surprised to see a car had collided with a home near the 1500 block of Vista Lake Circle in West Melbourne, this morning.  Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) arrived on scene to find a car had backed over an electrical box and came to rest against a home and a natural gas meter.  Crews quickly assessed the driver for injury, secured the vehicle and shut off the gas line.

Florida Power and Light (FPL) was requested to secure power.  FPL says nearly 10 homes were without power due to the accident and didn't have an accurate estimate when power would be restored.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was on scene to investigate the accident.  There was no structural damage to the house and no reported injuries.

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Working Structure Fire in Mims

(Mims, Brevard County, Fla.) - A single family home was badly damaged yesterday, June 2.  Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) responded to the early morning blaze on the 4200 block of Aurantia Road in Mims.  A passer-by spotted smoke and flames coming from the home and called 9-1-1.  Crews arrived shortly before 7 am to find flames visible.  Engine 21 quickly deployed a hose-line, extinguished the flames and confirmed no one was inside the home.

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