FOLSOM — Firefighters from the Folsom Fire Department, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and others responded to the scene of a structure fire Monday evening in the American River Canyon area, where a situation involving and armed subject was posing serious safety risks for first responders and quickly turned into a multi-alarm fire.
The call came in at approximately 5:26 p.m. for a home in the 200 block of River Ridge Way. Folsom police officers were first to arrive and reported smoke coming from the residence, along with information reporting that a resident was barricaded inside with firearms, posing an extreme danger to first responders.
As of 5:34 p.m., a total of nine firefighting units had been dispatched, including five engines, one medic unit, three battalion chiefs, and additional support staff. Crews from both Folsom and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire were responding to the incident with additional units.
Due to the reported threat inside the home, multiple fire crews were staging in the area of American River Canyon Drive and River Ridge Way while police worked to secure the scene. Per radio traffic, fire units were being assigned to protect neighboring structures and had requested two aerial units to ensure responder safety due to the barricaded subject.
This is a developing story. Folsom Times will continue to provide updates below as more information becomes available:
5:45 p.m. Fire personnel were being limited in their firefighting efforts because of the barricaded subject. Police were working to access and negotiate with the individual while fire crews prepared for an attack once cleared by law enforcement. Evacuations of nearby homes on Oak Rim, which are exposed to the active fire were also being ordered. Radio traffic reported that the subject was armed with a rifle inside of the burning home.
6:17 p.m. As all apparatus remains staged, fire crews were working to secure access to the incident through neighboring backyards. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Air Unit has also reported to the scene to assist with the situation.
6:21 p.m. According to dispatch traffic, a total of three aerial trucks have now responded to the scene along with at least 5 additional engines, two medic units, a fire rescue unit and multiple battalion chiefs. Two additional ‘Type 1″ engines are being requested by incident command. The armed subject is still barricaded at this time.
6:41 p.m. Incident command reports that the active fire is increasing in size. Folsom Police are now coordinating to provide firefighters with the protection to launch a protected aerial firefighting effort to protect the nearby exposed homes.
6:55 p.m. Fire personnel given the go ahead to attack active fire with unmanned aerials only in an effort to prevent spread. No update on armed subject. A total of nine engine companies have now responded to the staging area and scene. Additional protection has arrived for firefighters to be able to access their ground lines to increase their attack on the fire from a distance. Fire command is overseeing operations using a drone to insure firefighters remain a safe distance.
7:04 p..m. Animal control dispatched to the scene as firefighters reportedly have rescued at least 10 dogs from one of the neighboring exposed homes and need assistance securing the animals.
7:11 p.m. Firefighters are now protected enough to access hand lines that have been deployed between the active fire structure and the neighboring homes to perform a defensive attach on the exposed homes and an offensive attack, exterior only on the actively burning structure. Incident command has also given firefighters clearance to begin cutting access through garage doors.
7:38 p.m. Incident command has called for all aerial water streams and for crews to engage with hand lines from the exterior only. Folsom Police is currently not releasing any additional information on the current status of the subject who has apparently still not apprehended, according to radio traffic.
8:02 pm. Radio traffic reports a good portion of the active fire has been knocked down and the interior appears to be fairly intact. Firefighters have requested an arson investigation unit be dispatched to the scene.
8:15 p.m. At this time Folsom Police has not updated any official information on the location or status of the subject or reported on any additional victims as it is still a very active scene. A male subject in a bright yellow safety vest was reportedly seen walking up to the active scene and was apparently taken into police custody but was reportedly not the barricaded suspect. It is unknown the connection to the incident.
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