Construction Water truck: Rollover

Water truck in lucky escape after rolling down hill

Well, my job site, out in the middle of nowhere, saw the most action it’s ever seen today, when a water truck was trying to turn around on top of a large hill, with a 3:1 incline.

Unfortunately for the driver, his judgment was a little off and he drove off the edge of the hill, sending him sliding down the hill. To make matters worse, he turned the wheel, sent himself into a spin and started rolling the truck down the hill.

The incredible part is that there is a small, flat ledge about half way down the hill and he landed with his tyres on the ground at this point and the truck decided not to make another roll and send him down the second half of the hill.

The truck suffered a few dents, scuffs and cracks and the driver is apparently doing OK.

Now all that remains to be seen is how they’re going to get it off the hill…

Skid/ roll marks

Earth damage and truck

Damaged truck

Source: http://www.thewanderingbrit.com/2009/03/31/water-truck-in-lucky-escape-after-rolling-down-hill/

Engineers try to redirect water

Fiji News: Water trucks will be sent out once the exact areas affected are confirmed while engineers are trying to redirect water from the Tamavua system to the greater Suva area.

This is the message from Works Department Central/Eastern spokesperson Maika Nagalu who said the water disruptions are due to a burst main at Laqere Bridge.

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Nagalu said they do not know how long it will take to fix the problem.

Also, the Education Ministry said they have had no notice from schools or the Water Department on the water situation and cannot confirm whether schools that fall in the affected areas will be closed today.

Meanwhile, Interim Works Minister Timoci Natuva said old pipes must be replaced to ensure water disruptions are a thing of the past.

Natuva said most of the pipes still being used have been in place since World War Two and that is why consumers will continue to receive water disruptions adding the replacement of pipes will take a couple more years.
Source: http://www.fijivillage.com - Link

Illinois: Empress Casino fire

Empress Casino fire spreads; roof collapses

March 20, 2009
By KIM SMITH ksmith@scn1.com

JOLIET — Some 6,000 to 8,000 gallons of water per minute have not been enough to stop the Empress Casino blaze that has spread from the former ballroom east to the entryway.

Water trucks from other area departments are circling in and out of the area, but the fire that started Friday morning has continued to spread. Additional water has been trucked in from as far as two miles away.

Firefighters from Joliet and other departments battling the large fire at the Empress Casino. The fire apparently broke out in part of the casino that is under construction
(John Patsch/Staff Photographer)

Smoke rises from the Empress Casino in Joliet, where a fire started in an area under construction Friday morning.
(Liz Wilkinson Allen/Staff Photographer)

• Casino fire will impact local economy
• Casino in middle of renovation

Fire Chief Joe Formhals said firefighters are concentrating on containing the fire that broke out around 10 a.m. in an area under renovation. Firefighters have four ladder trucks spraying directly into the building, but the smoke keeps pouring out.

General Manager Frank Quigley said it is too soon to tell the extent of the damage and how long it will take to get back the jobs of the 900 casino workers.

The Empress brings in $14 million and $15 million a month.

"This is very disappointing, we were all very excited about our $50 million renovation," Quigley said.

Plans were to add a new French restaurant and a coffee shop.

Joliet City Councilman Tom Giarrante said the fire damage to the Empress Casino is unbelievable and the timing is brutal.

"We are going to have to sit down with the city manager and find out how bad this is going to be," Giarrante said. "We may need to have a special meeting. Thank God no one was hurt. That was a result of a lot of fire drills."

Giarrante had been on the fire scene since 11 a.m.

The renovations may have hampered firefighting efforts with more than one drop ceiling to chop through, which caused the blaze to spread horizontally, Formhals said.

Formhals confirmed that the lack of water has been an issue.

He said an off-duty Joliet firefighter was on the scene around 10 a.m. at the casino on Route 6 when an alarm went off.

The fire started in a kitchen area, Formhals said. Police Lt. Stephen Breen said the fire apparently was started by welders. He says a spark might have hit some grease around the ceiling area, but that it's too soon to say exactly what happened.

Scaffolding and other construction equipment was seen inside the burning wing.

A casino official said smoke more than likely damaged casino walls. Concerns have mounted that the fire might spread to the gaming floor.

Meanwhile, Quigley had told employees they were free to leave. Earlier, Quigley has asked workers to wait and see what developed.

Some employees had purses and keys locked up in the casino. Quigley said the company would provide transportation to those who need it and no one would be allowed inside.

Earlier, Formahals said the blaze was sparked by the construction in an area where new seats were being added. A lot of drywall was being stored in that area as well, he said.

Rarely does the Joliet Fire Department call for assistance but trucks from Troy, Rockdale and other departments started to roll in shortly after noon. Most appeared to be water trucks.

Quigley had spoken to employees who have been gathering under to carport of the hotel.

"All kinds of kudos to you guys for pulling off an extremely professional evacuation," Quigley said. "There were no injuries."

Michelle Bell, marketing director, said there was a $50 million renovation project in the pavilion area with new food outlets under construction.

Smoke from the blaze was visible for miles.

Bob Bennet of Joliet was in the casino around 10 a.m. when a voice came over the PA sytem.

"They told us we had to evacuate because there was a small fire," Bennet said. "Everyone got up and left. It went well, there was no one panicking, no pushing or shoving."

At first, gamblers were told they would be able to get back in after about an hour, but later were informed by security guards that the casino would be closed for the day.

Laura Carter of Orland Park had hoped to cash her $94 voucher but was told the vouchers would be good for about a year.

The 50,000 square-foot casino features 1,100 machines and 20 table games, according to its Web site.
Source: www.suburbanchicagonews.com - Link

Water trucks in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Canada

Where or where has the water truck gone?

Posted by Kennie at 3/11/2009 07:03:00 PM Wednesday, March 11, 2009

After three long (and perhaps smelly) days with no water (one of the added perks you can purchase with your Northern Adventure) the water truck finally graced us with an appearance.

I was getting to the point where I was going to start standing in the middle of the road and block its way around town until it stopped to fill up our water tank. It is not fun not being able to have my morning (although quick) shower. Nor is it very fun if Kennie doesn't have her cup of Java in the morning .. makes for a very foul mooded Kennie. All should hopefully start returning to normal ... now all I have to do is make my way through two weeks of laundry ...

WV Firefighter Critical After Tanker Accident

A Webster County Volunteer Firefighter was critically injured in an accident last night (03/09/2009) approximately six (6) miles from the Erbacon VFD. He was critically injured and was sent via Healthnet to CAMC where he is in extremely critical condition with severe head trauma. The person that called me indicated that the firefighter may not survive his injuries.

According to unconfirmed reports, the 2000 gallon Commercial Fire Tanker went off the road on the right, the FF driver over corrected and crossed two (2) lanes of traffic, went through the guardrail, and then down an approximately seventy (70) foot embankment striking a railroad grade.
Source: www.firefighterclosecalls.com