

They were investigating what they thought was a fire. “The fire captain and the firefighter were properly equipped to approach that. As he was being dragged to safety, the fourth blast went off. The men rushed to get the fire captain out. The firefighter headed for the bushes to administer aid and the two police officers were also prepared to help when all of a sudden there was another explosion. The electrical vault unexpectedly exploded, literally sending the fire captain flying into the bushes. That interview is in the video belowĮventually, a fire captain and firefighter approached the manhole and looked down. Wolf and a firefighter suffered minor burns and bruises. Wolf told KCBS-TV he was very lucky. Captain David Wolf of the Orange County Fire Authority was thrown ten feet by the blast. When the firefighters arrived to take a close up look another explosion occurred.
#ORANGE COUNTY ELECTRICAL FIRE CAPTION SERIES#
The series of explosions from a manhole was caught on a police car’s dash-cam. The police arrived first and saw the smoking manhole and waited for firefighters. The incident happened Sunday evening in Yorba Linda, California.

We were alerted to this video of a very close call for firefighters and police by a reader. We first told you about this incident yesterday in Quick Takes. “Captain Kreza, on behalf of the fire family: We’ll take it from here.Click here to follow on Facebook (hit “like”) In the early years of firefighting, ringing a bell three times indicated a job was completed and it was time to go home. To conclude the emotional ceremony Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Chief Dan Stefano presented a folded American flag and firefighter’s helmet to Kreza’s wife and daughters and he was sent off with the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.

#ORANGE COUNTY ELECTRICAL FIRE CAPTION DRIVER#
And became a large influence in so many that knew him,” she said in tears.Īfter the crash, the outpouring of support from the public and firefighting community was swift as people shared condolences and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to a crowdfunding source to help his family. The driver of the car, Stephen Taylor Sarpa, 25, of Mission Viejo allegedly was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and has been charged with murder. Kreza’s aunt Bobbie Kimball recalled the day he was born and joked that at nearly 11 pounds he seemed large next to the smaller babies in the hospital. The two also rode bikes alongside one another while Kreza trained for triathlons, the competitive activity that spawned his nickname: “Ironman.”Ĭathey recounted how the family cheered him on the first time he completed the Ironman competition in 2014: “He crossed the finish line with a smile on his face holding a picture of his girls in one hand and a finger to God.” “Coming to work was an unbelievable experience knowing that I got to work for my best friend,” Cathey said. I miss you so much and I always want to make you smile.”įire engineer Steve Cathey talked about having Kreza as his best friend as well as his boss. “You’re kind, loving, strong and fierce and the most important thing was that you were brave. Layla, 9, took to the podium and read her own. Daddy, you’re the best daddy in the entire world.”

The youngest, 7-year-old Audrey wrote: “I will miss falling asleep with you on the couch.
