This is the first of several updates which will depict the confined space recovery operation Thursday at the Sunnyside Corporation industrial accident where a worker was overcome by methylene chloride fumes in an outside storage tank. Tim Olk and Larry Shapiro were at the scene for much of the operation.
The first images are from Larry Shapiro who arrived shortly after the first Wheeling fire companies and the determination was made that the operation would be a recovery and not a rescue.
A Wheeling lieutenant on top of the tank dons his self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Larry Shapiro photo
Workers standby and await word about the fate of their co-worker trapped inside the storage tank in the corner. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter secures a smoke ejector to a rope so it can be hoisted to the top of the tank. Larry Shapiro photo
A firefighter prepares to setup the fan above the tank opening. Larry Shapiro photo
The fan is hoisted to the top of the tank. Larry Shapiro photo
The tower ladder is positioned to be deployed as an anchor point above the storage tank when the recovery is made. Larry Shapiro photo
A technical rescue box alarm was initiated and on-scene units made preliminary preparations for the removal prior to the arrival of the supplemental technicians, equipment and supplies.
