"Crane operator saved from fire in Kingston, Ont."

[applegrove]

Crane operator saved from fire in Kingston, Ont.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/crane-operator-saved-from-fire-in-kingston-ont-1.2467711

"SNIP..........................

A crane operator who was stranded above a massive fire in Kingston, Ont., has been lifted to safety by helicopter in a dramatic rescue.

A rescue helicopter from CFB Trenton arrived at the scene above Princess and Victoria streets before 4 p.m. Tuesday to reach the worker, who was trapped high in the air while fire crews put out a blaze below.

He was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

■PHOTOS: Helicopter rescues crane operator

The CH-146 Griffon rescue helicopter was part of the 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton.

.......................................SNIP"

[RAFREE]

1. I was there

I live in Kingston and had lots to do downtown yesterday. Not long after I got down there this all started up. That poor crane operator was stuck up there for hours. He could not go backwards or he would be in the blaze and he was at the very end and could not go forward. Temps on the ground were minus 22 yesterday. That caused problems fighting the blaze. To top it all off they still think the crane is going to crash. I'm just glad they were able to rescue that man. Also thankful that the gas station across the street did not catch on fire! The fire did jump the street and caught a hotel on fire. So close to that gas station. Lower down that same street people were still out and about. Had the gas station caught there would have been a huge explosion. The gas station owner said he had just had the pumps filled that morning.

MANY thanks to the fire dept. police who kept the on lookers away, down town merchants who kept calm and dealt with their customers while all this was going on. Evacuations of other areas, a nursing home and other student housing went smoothly. Especially thanks to CFB Trenton rescue.

Evacuees are now at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and are being taken care of. Students please call Queen's University Security if you need housing or help.

[applegrove]

2. Thanks for the recap. I read somewhere that the poor crane operator had to

rotate his crane so the boom would not be over fire. Then he walked out over it. He is a lucky man the Trenton Base was just an hour away. Vibes to him. And yes. Thanks to Trenton rescue.

[RAFREE]

3. Yes he did!

He was in the bucket but, it was catching fire. He did have to turn the crane and to get away from the flames get all the way to the end. However it was -32 degrees celsius up there.

He's doing fine with minor burns and the only thing that happened was his rental car burned up in the fire along with several others. I'm sure it will be taken care of for him and we'll get him back to London safely. He says he's done with crane operating work.