On Wednesday December 23rd, 2009 around 4:45pm the Stanford Heights Fire Department along with Midway Fire Department for an additional engine company, the Colonie Village Fire Company for the FAST (firefighter assist search team) and Colonie EMS were activated for a reported structure fire at the New Horizon Stables on Pearse Road in the town of Colonie.
Stanford Heights was immediately notified via radio that communications was receiving multiple calls stating the barn was “fully involved” with animals trapped. Chief Dale Monlea responded and informed communications that there was a 200ft x 400ft barn, and it was indeed fully involved and that stable workers successfully evacuated all animals. Stanford Heights Engine 433 responded with six firefighters within minutes and laid in large diameter hose from a fire hydrant adjacent to the barn. 433 pulled into the driveway and immediately set the ladder up for aerial operations. Upon arrival Stanford Heights firefighters were informed of an ethanol producing system inside the barn and multiple explosions were occurring while the firefighters set up. The six firefighters split up and two firefighters used a 2 1/2 inch hand line to protect a second barn within feet of the engulfed structure. Three other firefighters pulled a 1 3/4 line to assist the ladder pipe operations.
Midway responded with Rescue 7 to establish a second water supply due to the initial hydrant being iced over. Rescue 7 immediately started feeding water to 433 to maintain ladder pipe operations. Rescue 10 from Stanford Heights arrived to pull additional lines and assist in fire suppression. A call was placed for additional mutual aid from Niskayuna District 2 for an engine and Midway for truck 7. NFD 2 responded with engine 412 to secure another hydrant to feed Truck 7 which had arrived and set up another ladder pipe operation.
Verdoy fire department responded with an engine company to provide another warming option as firefighters battled subzero temperatures. Colonie Village arrived and set up FAST operations in the front yard of the adjacent residence. As the need for rehab and crews needing relief arose Albany County Car 1 requested North Bethlehem Fire Department for the rehab truck and heated tent to provide a much-needed warm enclosure for firefighters to regroup and rest. Approximately 50 firefighters from 6 departments worked for 6 hours to extinguish the blaze completely with no rekindle in the following days, with the help from privately owned bulldozer. One firefighter was treated for potential hypothermia on scene and was released. The barn was a total lose but all animals were successfully rescued and second barn left untouched.
