Gig Harbor Fire Blotter: Towel Catches on Fire, Hit and Run

Total calls during this period: 77
EMS: 62  
Fire/Service: 3            
Other: 12

On May 17, neighbors called 9-1-1 stating there was white smoke coming from a backyard and an alarm light was flashing above the garage. Crews responded to find no signs of smoke but were able to locate the flashing light. Upon investigating, crews came across a friend of the resident coming from the back of the house explaining that a small hand towel caught fire from a candle in the bathroom and they were able to extinguish it. After confirming with the resident of the home, crews cleared the scene.

On May 17, crews responded to a report of someone falling. The woman explained that she was walking to her room when she tripped and fell in the hallway. She was complaining of head and neck pain but reported no other pain or discomfort. Crews treated her for a small contusion on her forehead and transported her to a hospital for further treatment.

On May 18, a man walked to his neighbors and stated he thought he was having a stroke before collapsing in the driveway. During the evaluation, he was awake but unresponsive, vomiting, and unable to clear his own airway. He was transported to a hospital for further care.

On May 19, a woman called for EMS while at church. She complained of not feeling well and being light-headed and weak. When asked questions she answered them with certainty and did not seem confused, but she stated it was 2011 and that it should be April. She was certain she wasn’t confused in any way, but was unable to recall most of the events from just a few minutes prior. Upon evaluation, crews decided to transport for further treatment.

On May 19, crews responded to an accident on State Route 16 near the Olympic Drive overpass. The patient was having mechanical problems with his car and was awaiting AAA when he was struck from behind. When crews arrived the patient was alert and had not lost consciousness, but was complaining of back pain. He was transported to a hospital for further treatment.

On May 20, a man crashed while going about 35-45 mph on a dirt bike when he tried to do a slide on the asphalt. He walked his bike back to his residence where neighbors bandaged his knee and dialed 911. Crews arrived to find that aside from the abrasion on his knee, he only suffered a superficial abrasion on his forearm. He was then transported to a local hospital for further assessment.

On May 20, two men were driving on State Route 16 when the driver began to convulse and became unresponsive. The passenger was able to grab the steering wheel and turn off the ignition, coasting the car onto the shoulder and into the cable barrier. When crews arrived, the passenger explained that the seizure involved the driver’s entire body and it lasted about 2 minutes. When the driver regained consciousness, he had no recollection of what had happened and initially refused care, but eventually allowed crews to transport him.

On May 21, a woman found her brother moaning in bed when she arrived at his house. He stated he hadn’t checked his sugar that morning and had not eaten, but took his insulin and fell asleep. EMS arrived and started him on an IV; within three minutes the patient began to respond normally. The family made him a sandwich and transport was not needed.

On May 23, the driver of a sedan on Stinson Avenue was hit from behind and pushed into the intersection; the second car fled the scene. Crews responded to a complaint of neck and back pain and after a physical examination decided to transport her to a hospital for further treatment.