Gig Harbor Fire Reports: Woman Falls From Rope Swing at Sunrise Beach

Total calls during this period: 109

EMS: 83  

Fire/Service: 14          

Other: 13

Possible Fire: On July 19, crews responded to reports of a tri-plex on fire. The landlord had received a complaint of smoke and grinding noise coming from the fan in an upstairs bathroom. Upon the smell of smoke, the landlord evacuated the building. When crews arrived, they found light grey smoke coming out of two chimney vents, but no flames were noted. The landlord had removed the ceiling fan before evacuating so crews could see into the attic where they found a moderate amount of smoke. They found very little fire and were able to extinguish it with minimal water use. They found no extension of fire anywhere else and natural ventilation was used to clear the attic of smoke.

Possible Fire: On July 19, crews responded to reports of smoke in a day care facility. When they arrived, the school had been evacuated and that they had seen smoke coming from the rear of a washer or dryer. The principal had unplugged both, turned on the ceiling fan and shut the door. Crews investigated the room and found no smoke or fire. Advised principal to have washer and dryer looked at by an electrician.

Unconscious Person: On July 20, a woman was eating lunch with her family when she became unconscious. She remained unconscious until crews arrived, and they noted she was making snoring respirations. While moving her into the medic unit, she vomited once and regained consciousness. She had no complaints and didn’t remember the episode. She was transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

Seizures: On July 20, crews responded to complaints of seizure-like activity. A woman stated she was having moments where she doesn’t remember periods of time throughout her day. She had two periods that day where she didn’t remember what she was doing and wanted to be transported for further evaluation and care. She had a history of physical seizures in the past, so she was transported to a hospital.

Smoke Inhalation: On July 20, crews responded to reports of a possible apartment fire. When they arrived they were advised it was on the second floor of the apartments. Crews entered and found waist-high smoke in an apartment with a man asleep on a couch. They found no fire, and concluded that the smoke was due to burnt food on the stove. Firefighters evacuated the man from the apartment and evaluated for smoke inhalation. He was treated at the scene and did not want transport. 

Car vs. Motorcycle: On July 22, a man was riding his motorcycle when a car pulled out in front of him. He was able to slow down quite a bit but still struck the vehicle’s front end, pinning his lower left leg against the car. The impact knocked him off of his motorcycle. When crews arrived, he only complained of left leg pain but was able to walk to the side of the road. Crews took spinal precautions and put him on a back board, splinted his leg and transported him to a hospital for further care.

Rope Swing Fall: On July 22, a woman was on Sunrise Beach Cliff using the rope swing. She was unable to hang onto the rope and she fell 12-17 feet to the ground, and then slid about 30 feet down the cliff face. She did not lose consciousness but complained of pain in her back, left ankle and hip. Because of her location, crews required use of the West Pierce Fireboat to load and transport her to the Maritime dock. Once at the dock, she was transported to a hospital for further treatment.

Small Fire: On July 24, a woman called 911 for help to put out a small grass fire in her yard. Her son and friends were attempting to start a fire in a fire pit when the gas can caught fire. They panicked and threw the can to the edge of the yard where the surrounding grass caught fire. When crews arrived, the woman was attempting to put it out with a garden hose. Crews extinguished it with class A foam and 200 gallons of water. The kids were counseled on proper outdoor burning techniques and about the dangers or using flammable liquids to start fires.

Marine Animal Sting: On July 25, a young girl was swimming in the bay when she felt something brush across her legs. She instantly began to feel a stinging/burning sensation across the front of both legs. She got out of the water and her parents called 911 and put a small amount of vinegar/water solution to relieve pain. Crews arrived and applied a cool moist towel over her legs after a vinegar solution rinse then transported her to a hospital.